Occupational bladder cancer in New Zealand: a 1-year review of cases notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry.
OBJECTIVE
To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 2001 had a probable occupational cause.


METHODS
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in conjunction with the Massey University Centre for Public Health Research, interviewed and obtained an occupational history for 210 (162 men, 48 women) cases.


RESULTS
Of the 162 male cases (response rate 65%), 45 (28%) were considered to be 'probable' occupational cancers. Of the 48 female cases (response rate 76%), three cases (6%) were considered to be 'probable' occupational cancers. The largest occupational group for men was truck drivers, which made up 51% of probable cases. Other common groups were engineering and metal workers (18%), crop farmers/orchardists (7%), textile and leather workers (7%), painters/furniture finishers (7%), and plastics manufacturing workers (4%). The three female cases considered to be of occupational origin included two textile workers and one telephonist.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of cases considered to be of occupational origin is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States, indicating that occupational cancer is a major occupational health problem in New Zealand as it is in other parts of the world.
Dryson
E
E
Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Labour, Auckland, New Zealand. evan.dryson@osh.dol.govt.nz
Walls
C
C
McLean
D
D
Pearce
N
N
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D012042:Registries; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology