Bladder cancer screening among primary aluminum production workers in Quebec

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · JOM, Journal of Occupational Medicine; (USA)

OSTI ID:5837539

Theriault, G P; Tremblay, C G; Armstrong, B G ^[1]

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1. McGill Univ., Montreal (Canada)

We evaluated a cytology screening program, offered by a large aluminum producer after the discovery of an excess of bladder cancer due to occupational exposure to coal-tar-pitch volatiles, in terms of early detection and survival, based on information in the public domain. From January 1970 through June 1986, 79 cases of bladder cancer were identified in this cohort of aluminum workers aged 65 years or younger. By the end of 1986, 36 had died, with bladder cancer as the primary cause of death for 53%. Cases diagnosed after the screening program was introduced in 1980 were compared with those diagnosed earlier. In cases diagnosed after 1980, the proportion identified at early stages was higher (77% v 67%) and survival seemed improved but the differences were not statistically significant. Although these results do not encourage an optimistic view of screening effectiveness in this population, the limits inherent in the present study make it impossible to draw any firm conclusion. Studies restricted to public domain information do not appear to have sufficient data to evaluate workplace screening programs.

• OSTI ID: 5837539
• Journal Information: JOM, Journal of Occupational Medicine; (USA), Vol. 32:9; ISSN 0096-1736
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM
CARCINOGENESIS
BLADDER
NEOPLASMS
CARCINOGEN SCREENING
METALLURGY
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
QUEBEC
RISK ASSESSMENT
SURVIVAL CURVES
BODY
CANADA
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
SCREENING
URINARY TRACT
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology