Variation in the risk for liver and gallbladder cancers in socioeconomic and occupational groups in Sweden with etiological implications.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between socioeconomic/occupational factors and liver cancer at various anatomic sites (including primary liver, gallbladder and other cancers).


METHODS
We carried out a follow-up study on the economically active Swedish population, based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in different social classes and occupations.


RESULTS
For primary liver cancer, farmers were at a decreased risk; increased risks were observed for male sales agents, journalists, seamen, waiters, cooks and female beverage manufacture workers. Similar patterns were observed for gallbladder cancer; workers employed as journalists, sales agents, cooks and stewards, and public safety workers showed increased risk. Only male transport workers showed increased risk of cancers in other parts.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupations with high consumption of alcohol and/or high prevalence of smoking associated with a risk of liver and gallbladder cancers. The present study suggests that the effects of socioeconomic factors on liver cancer of different subsites are similar; alcohol drinking is a risk factor of gallbladder cancer because of the covariation of primary liver and gallbladder cancers in occupational groups.
Department of Bioscience at Novum, Karolinska Institutet, 14157, Huddinge, Sweden. jianguang.ji@biosci.ki.se
Jianguang
J
Ji
Kari
K
Hemminki
D000328:Adult; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013548:Sweden