Cancer incidence in adults living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in France, based on data from the French Network of Cancer Registries

Abstract

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) release toxic emissions into the environment that may affect neighboring populations. This ecologic study was designed to investigate the possibility of an excess incidence of cancer in the vicinity of French NPPs by examining the incidence by municipality of 12 types of cancer in the population aged 15 years and older during the 1995-2011 period. Population exposure to pollution was estimated on the basis of distance from towns of residence to the NPP. Using regression models, we assessed the risk of cancer in a 20-km zone around NPPs and observed an excess incidence of bladder cancer (Relative Risk (RR), 95% Credibility Interval (95% CI)) in men and women (RR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.17 and RR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.39). Women living within the 20-km proximity areas had a significantly reduced risk of thyroid cancer (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96). No excess risk of hematologic malignancies in either sex was seen. The higher than expected incidence of bladder cancer may be due to an excess incidence localized around the Flamanville NPP and the nearby La Hague nuclear waste treatment center, which is a source of chemical contaminants, many (including arsenic) of them known risk factors for bladder cancer. Differences in medical practices could explain the reduced risk of thyroid cancer. In this first study of adults living near NPPs in France, cancer incidence is significantly higher than in the references populations for one of the cancer types studied: bladder cancer.

WITHDRAWN: Cancer Incidence in the Population Residing Near Nuclear Power Plants in India, - A Study From Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai

“…Nuclear power plants are a source of radiation and chemical contaminants; the exposure of which are known risk factors for many cancers. Some studies shown association between radiation and risk of leukaemia cancer among adult and childhood [10][11][12]. In our study, cancer incidence rate for leukaemia is 4.5 (per lac) in Kalpakkam, followed by 3.1 in Kudankulam, 1.4 in Karwar, 1.8 in Palghar, 1.2 in Kakrapar and 0.6 in Rawatbhata among male population; similarly, in female rates are 3.1 in Kalpakkam, 2.2 in Kudankulam, 1.8 in Palghar, 1.5 in Rawatbhata, 1.0 in Kakrapar and 0.9 in Karwar NPP registries.…”

Thyroid cancer incidence near nuclear sites in Belgium: An ecological study at small geographical level

“…Thyroid cancer incidence was not different between the group of inhabitants living in the townships where nuclear power plants are located and the “nonplant‐vicinity” group, these groups including 48 and 25 cases, respectively. In France, a significantly lower risk of thyroid cancer was observed in women living in the 20 km proximity area of the seven nuclear power plants under study (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77;0.96) . The authors suggest that a possible difference in medical practices might explain the results.…”

“…In France, a significantly lower risk of thyroid cancer was observed in women living in the 20 km proximity area of the seven nuclear power plants under study (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77;0.96). 48 The authors suggest that a possible difference in medical practices might explain the results.…”

Epidemiology of Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Contemporary Update of Risk Factors in 2018

“…An ecologic study [61] found a statistically significant RR of BC in persons living inside 20 km from a nuclear power plant (RRmen 1.08 [95% CI 1.00-1.17], RRwomen 1.19 (95% CI 1.02-1.39]). However, the study used proximity as a proxy for exposure and did not assess blood profiles.…”