CANCER AMONG FARMERS IN CENTRAL ITALY

This case-referent study evaluated cancer risks among farmers in centr al Italy. Cancer cases (N = 1674, 17 sites) were selected from all dec eased men aged 35-80 years; a random sample of 480 decedents formed th e reference series. Farmers had a decreased risk of lung and bladder c ancer and melanoma and nonsignificant excess risks for stomach, rectal , kidney, and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Stomach and kidney cancer were significantly increased among the farmers with > 10 years' experience, and stomach, rectal, and pancreatic cancer were increased among licen sed pesticide users with > 10 years' experience. Possible relationship s emerged between specific crops and cancer: fruit and colon and bladd er cancer, wheat and prostate cancer, olives and kidney cancer, and po tato and kidney cancer. The results regarding stomach, pancreatic, lun g, bladder, and prostate cancer and melanoma congrue with earlier resu lts. The kidney cancer excess, the association of colon and bladder ca ncer with orchard farming, and the excess of rectal cancer among licen sed farmers are new and unexpected findings.