title: Organophosphate insecticide use and cancer incidence among spouses of pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Organophosphates (OPs) are among the most commonly used insecticides. OPs have been linked to cancer risk in some epidemiological studies, which have been largely conducted in predominantly male populations. We evaluated personal use of specific OPs and cancer incidence among female spouses of pesticide applicators in the prospective Agricultural Health Study cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  At enrolment (1993-1997), spouses provided information about ever use of specific pesticides, including 10 OPs, demographic information, reproductive health history and other potential confounders. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs for all cancers diagnosed through 2010 for North Carolina and through 2011 for Iowa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 30,003 women, 25.9% reported OP use, and 718 OP-exposed women were diagnosed with cancer during the follow-up period. Any OP use was associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer (RR=1.20, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.43). Malathion, the most commonly reported OP, was associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer (RR=2.04, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.63) and decreased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99). Diazinon use was associated with ovarian cancer (RR=1.87, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.43).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed increased risk with OP use for several hormonally-related cancers, including breast, thyroid and ovary, suggesting potential for hormonally-mediated effects. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of OP use and cancer risk among women, and thus demonstrates a need for further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lerro
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koutros
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andreotti
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Friesen
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Alavanja
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoppin
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Dale P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Sandler
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Jay H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lubin
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaomei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Yawei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Beane Freeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003976:Diazinon / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018454:Spouses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010755:Organophosphates; D003976:Diazinon