title: The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. thod@thod.org
authors.forename: Tevfik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akdur
authors.forename: Arslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tuncbilek
authors.forename: Kadri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altundag
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cengiz
mesh_terms: 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