Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans

Till, John E.; Beck, Harold L.; Boice, John D.; Mohler, H. Justin; Mumma, Michael T.; Aanenson, Jill W.; Grogan, Helen A.

doi:10.1080/09553002.2018.1551641

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The current study extends and confirms these earlier findings, with the excess of pleural cancer in participants still limited to naval personnel (SIR = 262, p < 0.001, based on 70 cases, table S12(b)). The US 'Eight series study' [29,62] also found a significant excess of pleural cancer among sailors, but not among other servicemen (RR = 1.34. p = 0.07) and similar findings were observed among Australian veterans involved in the UK tests [48], where raised rates were restricted to naval personnel . These results suggest that asbestos exposure is unlikely to be the explanation for the raised lung cancer rates in recent years.…”

Section: Respiratory Cancermentioning

confidence: 98%

Mortality and cancer incidence 1952-2017 in United Kingdom participants in the United Kingdom’s atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and experimental programmes

Gillies¹,

Haylock²

2022

J. Radiol. Prot.

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Aims: Analyse mortality and cancer incidence among men who took part in the United Kingdom’s atmospheric nuclear weapon tests between 1952-67. Methods: 21,357 servicemen and male civilians from the UK who participated in the tests and a group of 22,312 controls were followed between 1952-2017. Analyses of mortality and cancer incidence were conducted. Results: The overall mortality rate in the test participants was slightly higher (RR=1.02, 90% CI 1.00-1.05, p=0.04) than that in the control group. This difference was driven by similar increased risks for both all cancers combined (RR 1.03, 90% CI 1.00-1.07) and all non-cancer diseases (RR=1.02, 90% CI 1.00-1.05). Leukaemia excluding chronic lymphatic (non-CLL) incidence showed evidence of being raised relative to controls (RR=1.38, 90% CI 1.10-1.75, p=0.01). Leukaemia risks were driven by increased risks for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) (RR=2.43, 90% CI 1.43-4.13, p=0.003). Among non-cancer outcomes only cerebrovascular diseases showed increases in participants relative to controls. Conclusions: UK nuclear weapon tests participants have lower mortality rates compared to the national population although rates are slightly (2%) higher than in the study control group. Variation in background characteristics, that could not be accounted for in the analysis (e.g. smoking habits, diet), are a possible explanation for this difference. For leukaemia evidence of increased risk in the early years after the test has generally continued to diminish with time although for CML risks have persisted. There was some evidence that participants had higher mortality rates from cerebrovascular diseases than those in the control group. Assuming recorded radiation exposures (generally very low) are a true reflection of actual exposures then it is unlikely that any observed health effect will have been caused by radiation exposure.

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Section: Respiratory Cancermentioning

confidence: 98%

Mortality and cancer incidence 1952-2017 in United Kingdom participants in the United Kingdom’s atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and experimental programmes

Gillies¹,

Haylock²

2022

J. Radiol. Prot.

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“…In this population, asbestos is one of the most common and well-known causes of cancer, which is used in shipbuilding and is responsible for several types of cancer, in particular, pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas [31]. This relationship is well established and is documented in the scientific literature; furthermore, the associated genetic mutations for asbestos-related diseases are also extensively documented [32][33][34][35][36]. In contrast, the number of scientific studies focusing on skin cancer in this professional category is very limited, although these individuals work in occupations with significant sun exposure [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Outdoor Workers: A Study on Actinic Keratosis in Italian Navy Personnel

Vimercati

Maria

Caputi

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the main risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development. The most common variants of NMSC are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis (AK). The latter is nowadays considered by most authors as an early squamous cell carcinoma rather than a precancerous lesion. Outdoor workers have a higher risk of developing NMSC because they spend most of the working day outside. The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of skin lesions, especially AK, in a professional category of individuals exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: the Italian Navy. From January to June 2016, a questionnaire and a total skin examination of 921 military personnel were administered by medical specialists (dermatologists) in seven different Italian Navy centres. AK was detected in 217 of 921 (23.5%) workers. Older age, outdoor occupation, longer working life, and fair skin seem to promote the development of AK. Of the 217 workers with AK, 187 (86.2%) had lesions in chronically sun-exposed skin areas. Italian Navy personnel have a high AK prevalence. Further studies are needed to investigate occupational hazards and their health effects among outdoor workers to promote protective behaviour and raise awareness of skin cancer.

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“…The incidence of mesothelioma amongst people with a UK military background is not reported and there is no data to suggest that veterans in the UK are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma (Peto et al, 2009). However, reports from the United States suggest there may be a disproportionately high number of veterans living with mesothelioma (Roggli et al, 2009;Till et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with mesothelioma: A qualitative study of the experiences of male military veterans in the UK

Ejegi-Memeh

Darlison

Moylan

et al. 2021

European Journal of Oncology Nursing

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The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world. Evidence in the United States suggests that mesothelioma may disproportionately affect military veterans. However, there has been no investigation of the experience of UK veterans living with mesothelioma. The Military Mesothelioma Experience Study (MiMES) aimed to understand the experience and health/support needs of British Armed Forces personnel/veterans with mesothelioma. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 veterans living with mesothelioma, and nine family members of veterans living with mesothelioma. Participants were recruited via charities and asbestos support groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants' experiences are presented using three themes, i) exposure to asbestos and awareness of asbestos related diseases, ii) using military strategies to cope with mesothelioma and iii) preferences for information and support. MiMES indicates that the nature and range of UK military veterans' asbestos exposure is varied and not limited to high risk occupations. Participants' knowledge of asbestos and experience of mesothelioma influenced their experiences of diagnosis. Participants had coping strategies influenced by their military experiences. Assistance in navigating health and military systems was considered beneficial, especially if support was provided by professionals with knowledge or experience of the military. Attributes which may inhibit veterans from seeking professional support are discussed. Conclusion: MiMES provides insight into how UK military veterans experience and cope with mesothelioma. Key implications focus on the role that Mesothelioma Nurse Specialists, Asbestos Support Groups and veterans groups play in providing acceptable support for UK veterans.

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Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans

Cited by 12 publications

References 6 publications

Mortality and cancer incidence 1952-2017 in United Kingdom participants in the United Kingdom’s atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and experimental programmes

Mortality and cancer incidence 1952-2017 in United Kingdom participants in the United Kingdom’s atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and experimental programmes

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Outdoor Workers: A Study on Actinic Keratosis in Italian Navy Personnel

Living with mesothelioma: A qualitative study of the experiences of male military veterans in the UK

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