OCCUPATION AND STOMACH-CANCER IN A COHORT OF SWEDISH MEN

Using the Cancer-Environment Registry of Sweden, which links the 1960 census information on employment with cancer incidence data from 1961- 1979, we conducted a systematic, population-based assessment of stomac h cancer incidence by industry and occupation for men in Sweden. Nearl y 17,000 stomach cancer cases were diagnosed during the 19 years of fo llow-up. Stomach cancer incidence was elevated among miners and quarry men, farmers and fishermen, and craftsmen and production workers. Men who held white collar jobs, including professional and technical, admi nistrative and management, clerical, and sales jobs, had a reduction i n stomach cancer incidence. Examination of specific jobs revealed gene rally elevated rates of stomach cancer among men who may be exposed to dusty work environments, such as quarry workers, stone cutters, circu lar and plane operators, construction workers, crane operators, heavy laborers, and shop and construction metal workers. These occupational associations mostly were observed for stomach cancers of noncardia ori gin, and no significant associations were found with cardia cancers. W e had no information on dietary or other potential confounding factors and cannot make inferences about the role of occupation per se, but t he current findings support those of earlier investigations and add to the evidence of a small but significant occupational role in stomach carcinogenesis. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.