Occupational risk factors for prostate cancer

Background Occupational risk factors for prostate cancer have been investigated with inconsistent findings. Methods This was a population-based case-control study of men in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Cases (n = 760) were from the Ontario Cancer Registry, 50 to 84 years old, and diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1995 and 1998. Age-frequency matched controls (n = 1, 632) were obtained from telephone listings. A questionnaire yielded information on occupational history and self-reported exposures to a list of occupational hazards. Exposures to these hazards were assessed by an occupational hygienist. Results An odds ratio estimate (OR) of 1.21 (95 percent confidence interval (% CI) 1.01, 1.46) was found for employment in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations, possibly related to exposure to whole-body vibration (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.07, 1.78). For the highest quartile of lifetime cumulative workplace physical activity an OR of 1.33 (95% CI 1.02, 1.74) was found. No statistically significant associations were found for any other occupational category or exposure. Conclusions This study does not provide strong evidence for significant occupational risk factors for prostate cancer However, whole-body vibration exposures, as well as physical activity, may be worth pursuing in future occupational studies.