The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupation and head and neck cancers.


METHODS
In this case-control study, 206 Turkish patients with head and neck cancers comprised the case group. The control group consisted of 206 age- and sex-matched patients without malignant disease. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding occupation; tobacco and alcohol consumption; educational status; and history of any systemic disease, benign head and neck disease, and cancer among family members. High-risk jobs were considered those in the industries of construction, wood, mining, metal, chemistry and agriculture.


RESULTS
Patients with head and neck cancers worked in high-risk occupations more frequently than did controls [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, p<0.05]. Cancer risk decreased with the increase in time interval between quitting the high-risk job and time of interview. Smokers were at higher risk than nonsmokers (OR: 3.33, p<0.05). The risk was also higher in patients who drank alcohol regularly (OR: 1.59, p<0.05). However, occupation was found to be an independent high-risk factor for head and neck cancers in regression analysis. Frequency of benign head and neck disease and family history of cancer were not significant risk factors (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis showed that occupation and smoking were significant independent risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers among workers.
Pinar
Tevfik
T
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. thod@thod.org
Akdur
Recep
R
Tuncbilek
Arslan
A
Altundag
Kadri
K
Cengiz
Mustafa
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects