Asbestos, cement, and cancer in the right part of the colon.

Abstract

Objective-The aim was to investigate associations between exposure to mineral fibres and dust, and cancer in subsites within the large bowel. Design-Pooled retrospective cohort studies. Subjects and settings-Blue collar workers, employed for at least one year in different trades; asbestos cement or cement workers (n = 2507), other industrial workers (n = 3965), and fishermen (n = 8092). Main outcome measures-Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs, national reference rates) were calculated for cause specific cancer morbidity between 1958 and 1989. The observation period began 15 years after first employment. Results-The asbestos cement and cement workers had a slightly increased risk of colorectal cancer (SIR 1l5; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1*1-2-0). This was due to an increase only in the right part of the colon (SIR 2.5; 95% CI 1.6-3.8). The ratio of right (7th revision of the International Classification of Diseases ICD-7) 1530-1531)ileft (ICD-7 1532-1533) colon cancer among the asbestos cement and cement workers of 4-8 differed significantly from the ratio both among the other blue collar workers (0.4) and among the fishermen (1-5). As the sensitivity and accuracy was insufficient, mortality data did not show the excess of cancers in the right part of the colon. Conclusions-An increased incidence of cancer in the right part of the colon was evident in the asbestos cement and cement workers. The distribution of cancers within the colon was noticeably different from that in other blue collar workers, indicating that our findings cannot be explained by socioeconomic confounding factors. A detailed and appropriate disease classification, based on incidence data, is necessary in order not to obscure or underestimate effects of exposure in epidemiological studies on colorectcal cancer. (OccupEnviron Med 1994;51:95-101)

Cancer incidence among workers in the asbestos-cement producing industry in Norway

“…In our study no association with duration of employment, time since first employment, or period of first employment was found for colorectal cancer. A predominance of rectal cancer was found, in contrast to the findings of Jakobsson et al (33), among Swedish asbestos-cement workers.…”

A case‐control study of the relationship between the risk of colon cancer in men and exposures to occupational agents

“…Albin and coworkers found that colorectal cancer risks increased with cumulative exposure to mainly chrysotile asbestos [Albin et al, 1990]. Jakobsson and colleagues [Jakobsson et al, , 1994 found a 50% increased rate of the incidence of colorectal cancer among Swedish asbestos cement workers. A case-control study conducted in Stockholm (1986±1989) [de Gerhardsson et al, 1992] showed a 90% excess risk of both colon and rectum cancers in men who reported exposure to asbestos.…”

Incidence of cancer among the participants of the Finnish Asbestos Screening Campaign

“…The asbestos-associated risk of malignancies other than lung cancer and mesothelioma is less established. However, there are several reports of an elevated risk of laryngeal cancer (2)(3)(4), and some studies have also found an increased risk of cancer of the kidney and gastrointestinal tract (5,6). Estimates of the current annual cancer burden due to past asbestos exposure in Finland range from 150 to more than 250 (7,8).…”