title: Digestive cancers and occupational asbestos exposure: incidence study in a cohort of asbestos plant workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to estimate the incidence of digestive cancers within a cohort of asbestos-exposed workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study was based on a cohort of 2024 participants occupationally exposed to asbestos. The incidence of digestive cancers was calculated from 1 January 1978 to 31 December 2009 and compared with levels among the local general population using Standardised Incidence Ratios (SIRs). Asbestos exposure was assessed using the company's job-exposure matrix.
  
  
  RESULTS
  119 cases of digestive cancer were observed within our cohort, for an expected number of 77 (SIR=1.54 (1.28 to 1.85)). A significantly elevated incidence was observed for peritoneal mesothelioma, particularly in women. Significantly elevated incidences were also observed among men for: all digestive cancers, even when excluding peritoneal mesothelioma (SIR=1.50 (1.23 to 1.82)), oesophageal cancer (SIR=1.67 (1.08 to 2.47)) and liver cancer (SIR=1.85 (1.09 to 2.92)). Concerning colorectal cancer, a significant excess of risk was observed for men with exposure duration above 25 years (SIR=1.75 (1.05 to 2.73)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results are in favour of a link between long-duration asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer in men. They also suggest a relationship between asbestos exposure and cancer of the oesophagus in men. Finally, our results suggest a possible association with small intestine and liver cancers in men.
authors: Service de santé au travail et pathologie professionnelle, CHU Caen, Caen, France INSERM, UMR 1086, Cancers et Populations, Caen, France Faculté de Médecine, Université de Caen, Caen, France.
authors: Mathilde
authors: M
authors: Boulanger
authors: INSERM, UMR 1086, Cancers et Populations, Caen, France.
authors: Fabrice
authors: F
authors: Morlais
authors: Registre des tumeurs digestives du Calvados, Caen, France.
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Bouvier
authors: Service d'anatomopathologie, CHU Caen, Caen, France.
authors: Françoise
authors: F
authors: Galateau-Salle
authors: INSERM, UMR 1086, Cancers et Populations, Caen, France Faculté de Médecine, Université de Caen, Caen, France.
authors: Lydia
authors: L
authors: Guittet
authors: Service de santé au travail et pathologie professionnelle, CHU Caen, Caen, France.
authors: Marie-France
authors: MF
authors: Marquignon
authors: EA7298 INGRES, Nancy, France CHU Nancy, Nancy, France Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Paris
authors: Service de Santé au travail, GISTAF, Condé-sur-Noireau, France.
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Raffaelli
authors: INSERM, UMR 1086, Cancers et Populations, Caen, France Faculté de Médecine, Université de Caen, Caen, France Registre des tumeurs digestives du Calvados, Caen, France.
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Launoy
authors: Service de santé au travail et pathologie professionnelle, CHU Caen, Caen, France INSERM, UMR 1086, Cancers et Populations, Caen, France Faculté de Médecine, Université de Caen, Caen, France.
authors: Bénédicte
authors: B
authors: Clin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology*; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos