An update of cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to reevaluate cancer incidence among Agricultural Health Study participants.


METHODS
Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and relative standardized ratios were calculated.


RESULTS
A significant excess of prostate cancer was seen for private and commercial applicators (SIR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.14, 1.25 and SIR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.61, respectively). Excesses were observed for lip cancer (SIR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.02, 3.44) and multiple myeloma (SIR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.95) among private applicators from North Carolina and for marginal zone lymphoma among Iowa spouses (SIR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.21, 4.09).


CONCLUSIONS
Although lower rates of smoking and increased physical activity probably contribute to the lower overall cancer incidence, agricultural exposures including pesticides, viruses, bacteria, sunlight, and other chemicals may increase risks for specific cancer sites.
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, 6120 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
Stella
S
Koutros
Michael C R
MC
Alavanja
Jay H
JH
Lubin
Dale P
DP
Sandler
Jane A
JA
Hoppin
Charles F
CF
Lynch
Charles
C
Knott
Aaron
A
Blair
Laura E Beane
LE
Freeman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D018454:Spouses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010575:Pesticides