Cancer incidence and mortality in rural workers in the Brazilian Western Amazon

Abstract

Abstract Aim To conduct an exploratory study about cancer incidence and mortality in rural workers in the state of Acre, Brazil. Methods The Proportional Cancer Incidence Ratio (PCIR) was calculated for rural male workers who live in Rio Branco, Acre, with histological diagnosis of cancer, and the Cancer Mortality Odds Ratio (CMOR) comparing cancer deaths occurred in rural workers in the state of Acre with those occurred in people with other occupations in the period from 2007 to 2012. Results High and statistically significant PCIR were observed for tumors of larynx, PCIR = 7.55 (95% CI 4.23-12.46); melanoma, PCIR = 11.44 (95% CI 6.55-18.54); and non – Hodgkin lymphoma, PCIR = 10.00 (95% CI 5.17-17.50) compared to the population of Rio Branco. Regarding the mortality compared analysis, we can observe CMOR = 6.94 (95% CI 1.73-27.89) for pancreatic cancer and CMOR = 13.89 (95% CI 1.25-153.60) for cancer of the urinary tract. Conclusion The results suggest an increase in the incidence estimates of mortality for selected tumor sites among rural workers that are consistent with the literature.

Keywords

• cancer
• occupational activity
• rural workers