Risk of cancer in an occupationally exposed cohort with increased level ofchromosomal aberrations

We used cytogenetic analysis to carry out a cohort study in which the major objective was to test the association between frequency of chromosomal abe rrations and subsequent risk of cancer. In spite of the extensive use of th e cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in biomonitori ng at: exposure to various mutagens and carcinogens on an ecologic level, t he long-term effects of an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations i n individuals are still uncertain. Few epidemiologic studies have addressed this issue, and a moderate risk of cancer in individuals with an elevated frequency of chromosomal aberrations has been observed. In the present stud y, we analyzed data on 8,962 cytogenetic tests and 3,973 subjects. We found a significant and strong association between the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and cancer incidence in a group of miners exposed to radon, whe re a 1% increase in frequency of chromosomal aberrations was followed by a 64% increase in risk of cancer (p < 0.000). In contrast, the collected data are inadequate for a critical evaluation of the association with exposure to other chemicals.