SERUM ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL-CANCER IN EGYPT

The widespread use of pesticides in Egypt, the high incidence of color ectal cancer in Egyptian children and young adults, and the published U.S. case reports in which pesticides have been connected with colorec tal cancer led the authors to investigate the possible association bet ween organochlorines and colorectal cancer. The authors conducted a pi lot study to describe serum organochlorine levels among 31 Egyptian co lorectal patients and 17 controls. High levels and large interindividu al variability of p,p'-dichloro-diphenyl-dicholoroethylene (DDE), dich loro-diphenyl-trichloroanthane (DDT), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta -HCH), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) levels were found among most subjec ts, especially those from rural areas. Farming and aging were each ass ociated positively with high serum organochlorines. Colorectal cancer patients had higher serum organochlorines levels than controls. The hi gh levels of organochlorines reported and their relation to age, resid ence, occupation, and disease status justify further study of the poss ible association between organochlorine pesticides and colorectal canc er in a larger population in Egypt.