1. Cancer incidence in a cohort of Danish firefighters: An extended long-term follow-up 1968-2021.
- Author
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Pedersen JE, Petersen KU, Andersen MG, Saber AT, Vogel U, Ebbehøj NE, Jensen TK, Wils RS, Bonde JP, and Hansen J
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Denmark epidemiology, Incidence, Middle Aged, Adult, Follow-Up Studies, Cohort Studies, Occupational Exposure adverse effects, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms epidemiology, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms etiology, Prostatic Neoplasms epidemiology, Prostatic Neoplasms etiology, Testicular Neoplasms epidemiology, Aged, Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant, Firefighters statistics & numerical data, Neoplasms epidemiology, Neoplasms etiology, Occupational Diseases epidemiology, Melanoma epidemiology, Melanoma etiology, Skin Neoplasms epidemiology
- Abstract
Objectives: To update and extend the examination of cancer incidence in a cohort of Danish firefighters, now adding 7 years of follow-up and 2766 additional firefighters. The primary focus was directed toward cancer sites that recently contributed to the hazard evaluation conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)., Methods: The updated cohort consisted of 11,827 male Danish firefighters who were followed up for cancer from 1968 to 2021. Cohort cancer morbidity was compared with a working population reference group, and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were used for estimation of relative risks, along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)., Results: Among full-time firefighters, SIR of skin melanoma was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.02-1.66), and SIR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.02-1.85) for over 5 years of employment. Slightly positive associations were also observed for cancer of the urinary bladder (SIR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.93-1.45), prostate (SIR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.97-1.28), and testis (SIR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.75-1.63)., Conclusions: This updated study provides evidence indicating an elevated risk of skin melanoma in firefighters. Consistent with IARC's evaluation, we also identified positive associations for urinary bladder, prostate, and testis cancer. In contrast, our findings did not suggest an increased risk of colon cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and mesothelioma. The latter may be due to small numbers in our still relatively young cohort. Continuous follow-up for cancer in firefighters is warranted, including assessment of influence from surveillance bias., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)
- Published
- 2024
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