Geographic variation of mutagenic exposures in kidney cancer genomes.

International differences in the incidence of many cancer types indicate the existence of carcinogen exposures that have not yet been identified by conventional epidemiology make a substantial contribution to cancer burden1. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, obesity, hypertension and tobacco smoking are risk factors, but they do not explain the geographical variation in its incidence2. Underlying causes can be inferred by sequencing the genomes of cancers from populations with different incidence rates and detecting differences in patterns of somatic mutations. Here we sequenced 962 clear cell renal cell carcinomas from 11 countries with varying incidence. The somatic mutation profiles differed between countries. In Romania, Serbia and Thailand, mutational signatures characteristic of aristolochic acid compounds were present in most cases, but these were rare elsewhere. In Japan, a mutational signature of unknown cause was found in more than 70% of cases but in less than 2% elsewhere. A further mutational signature of unknown cause was ubiquitous but exhibited higher mutation loads in countries with higher incidence rates of kidney cancer. Known signatures of tobacco smoking correlated with tobacco consumption, but no signature was associated with obesity or hypertension, suggesting that non-mutagenic mechanisms of action underlie these risk factors. The results of this study indicate the existence of multiple, geographically variable, mutagenic exposures that potentially affect tens of millions of people and illustrate the opportunities for new insights into cancer causation through large-scale global cancer genomics.

Occupational Benzene Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk: A Pooled Analysis of 14 Case-Control Studies.

Rationale: Benzene has been classified as carcinogenic to humans, but there is limited evidence linking benzene exposure to lung cancer. Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship between occupational benzene exposure and lung cancer. Methods: Subjects from 14 case-control studies across Europe and Canada were pooled. We used a quantitative job-exposure matrix to estimate benzene exposure. Logistic regression models assessed lung cancer risk across different exposure indices. We adjusted for smoking and five main occupational lung carcinogens and stratified analyses by smoking status and lung cancer subtypes. Measurements and Main Results: Analyses included 28,048 subjects (12,329 cases, 15,719 control subjects). Lung cancer odds ratios ranged from 1.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.22) to 1.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.48) (Ptrend = 0.002) for groups with the lowest and highest cumulative occupational exposures, respectively, compared with unexposed subjects. We observed an increasing trend of lung cancer with longer duration of exposure (Ptrend < 0.001) and a decreasing trend with longer time since last exposure (Ptrend = 0.02). These effects were seen for all lung cancer subtypes, regardless of smoking status, and were not influenced by specific occupational groups, exposures, or studies. Conclusions: We found consistent and robust associations between different dimensions of occupational benzene exposure and lung cancer after adjusting for smoking and main occupational lung carcinogens. These associations were observed across different subgroups, including nonsmokers. Our findings support the hypothesis that occupational benzene exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Consequently, there is a need to revisit published epidemiological and molecular data on the pulmonary carcinogenicity of benzene.

Prevalent occupational exposures and risk of lung cancer among women: Results from the application of the Canadian Job-Exposure Matrix (CANJEM) to a combined set of ten case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The present study explored associations between occupational exposures that are prevalent among women, and lung cancer. METHODS: Data from 10 case-control studies of lung cancer from Europe, Canada, and New Zealand conducted between 1988 and 2008 were combined. Lifetime occupational history and information on nonoccupational factors including smoking were available for 3040 incident lung cancer cases and 4187 controls. We linked each reported job to the Canadian Job-Exposure Matrix (CANJEM), which provided estimates of probability, intensity, and frequency of exposure to each selected agent in each job. For this analysis, we selected 15 agents (cleaning agents, biocides, cotton dust, synthetic fibers, formaldehyde, cooking fumes, organic solvents, cellulose, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum, ammonia, metallic dust, alkanes C18+, iron compounds, isopropanol, and calcium carbonate) that had lifetime exposure prevalence of at least 5% in the combined study population. For each agent, we estimated lung cancer risk in each study center for ever-exposure, by duration of exposure, and by cumulative exposure, using separate logistic regression models adjusted for smoking and other covariates. We then estimated the meta-odds ratios using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: None of the agents assessed showed consistent and compelling associations with lung cancer among women. The following agents showed elevated odds ratio in some analyses: metallic dust, iron compounds, isopropanol, and organic solvents. Future research into occupational lung cancer risk factors among women should prioritize these agents.

Occupational exposure to nickel and hexavalent chromium and the risk of lung cancer in a pooled analysis of case-control studies (SYNERGY).

There is limited evidence regarding the exposure-effect relationship between lung-cancer risk and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or nickel. We estimated lung-cancer risks in relation to quantitative indices of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel and their interaction with smoking habits. We pooled 14 case-control studies from Europe and Canada, including 16 901 lung-cancer cases and 20 965 control subjects. A measurement-based job-exposure-matrix estimated job-year-region specific exposure levels to Cr(VI) and nickel, which were linked to the subjects' occupational histories. Odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for study, age group, smoking habits and exposure to other occupational lung carcinogens. Due to their high correlation, we refrained from mutually adjusting for Cr(VI) and nickel independently. In men, ORs for the highest quartile of cumulative exposure to CR(VI) were 1.32 (95% CI 1.19-1.47) and 1.29 (95% CI 1.15-1.45) in relation to nickel. Analogous results among women were: 1.04 (95% CI 0.48-2.24) and 1.29 (95% CI 0.60-2.86), respectively. In men, excess lung-cancer risks due to occupational Cr(VI) and nickel exposure were also observed in each stratum of never, former and current smokers. Joint effects of Cr(VI) and nickel with smoking were in general greater than additive, but not different from multiplicative. In summary, relatively low cumulative levels of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel were associated with increased ORs for lung cancer, particularly in men. However, we cannot rule out a combined classical measurement and Berkson-type of error structure, which may cause differential bias of risk estimates.

Sexual dimorphism in cancer: insights from transcriptional signatures in kidney tissue and renal cell carcinoma.

Sexual dimorphism in cancer incidence and outcome is widespread. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is fundamental to improve cancer prevention and clinical management. Sex disparities are particularly striking in kidney cancer: across diverse populations, men consistently show unexplained 2-fold increased incidence and worse prognosis. We have characterized genome-wide expression and regulatory networks of 609 renal tumors and 256 non-tumor renal tissues. Normal kidney displayed sex-specific transcriptional signatures, including higher expression of X-linked tumor suppressor genes in women. Sex-dependent genotype-phenotype associations unraveled women-specific immune regulation. Sex differences were markedly expanded in tumors, with male-biased expression of key genes implicated in metabolism, non-malignant diseases with male predominance and carcinogenesis, including markers of tumor infiltrating leukocytes. Analysis of sex-dependent RCC progression and survival uncovered prognostic markers involved in immune response and oxygen homeostasis. In summary, human kidney tissues display remarkable sexual dimorphism at the molecular level. Sex-specific transcriptional signatures further shape renal cancer, with relevance for clinical management.

Lung cancer risk in painters: results from the SYNERGY pooled case-control study consortium.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the risk of lung cancer associated with ever working as a painter, duration of employment and type of painter by histological subtype as well as joint effects with smoking, within the SYNERGY project. METHODS: Data were pooled from 16 participating case-control studies conducted internationally. Detailed individual occupational and smoking histories were available for 19 369 lung cancer cases (684 ever employed as painters) and 23 674 age-matched and sex-matched controls (532 painters). Multivariable unconditional logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, centre, cigarette pack-years, time-since-smoking cessation and lifetime work in other jobs that entailed exposure to lung carcinogens. RESULTS: Ever having worked as a painter was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in men (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.50). The association was strongest for construction and repair painters and the risk was elevated for all histological subtypes, although more evident for small cell and squamous cell lung cancer than for adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. There was evidence of interaction on the additive scale between smoking and employment as a painter (relative excess risk due to interaction >0). CONCLUSIONS: Our results by type/industry of painter may aid future identification of causative agents or exposure scenarios to develop evidence-based practices for reducing harmful exposures in painters.

Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure, Smoking, and Lung Cancer Subtype Risks. A Pooled Analysis of Case-Control Studies.

Rationale: Millions of workers around the world are exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Although silica is a confirmed human lung carcinogen, little is known regarding the cancer risks associated with low levels of exposure and risks by cancer subtype. However, little is known regarding the disease risks associated with low levels of exposure and risks by cancer subtype.Objectives: We aimed to address current knowledge gaps in lung cancer risks associated with low levels of occupational silica exposure and the joint effects of smoking and silica exposure on lung cancer risks.Methods: Subjects from 14 case-control studies from Europe and Canada with detailed smoking and occupational histories were pooled. A quantitative job-exposure matrix was used to estimate silica exposure by occupation, time period, and geographical region. Logistic regression models were used to estimate exposure-disease associations and the joint effects of silica exposure and smoking on risk of lung cancer. Stratified analyses by smoking history and cancer subtypes were also performed.Measurements and Main Results: Our study included 16,901 cases and 20,965 control subjects. Lung cancer odds ratios ranged from 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.27) to 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.60) for groups with the lowest and highest cumulative exposure, respectively. Increasing cumulative silica exposure was associated (P trend < 0.01) with increasing lung cancer risks in nonsilicotics and in current, former, and never-smokers. Increasing exposure was also associated (P trend ≤ 0.01) with increasing risks of lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma. Supermultiplicative interaction of silica exposure and smoking was observed on overall lung cancer risks; superadditive effects were observed in risks of lung cancer and all three included subtypes.Conclusions: Silica exposure is associated with lung cancer at low exposure levels. An exposure-response relationship was robust and present regardless of smoking, silicosis status, and cancer subtype.

Diesel Engine Exhaust Exposure, Smoking, and Lung Cancer Subtype Risks. A Pooled Exposure-Response Analysis of 14 Case-Control Studies.

Rationale: Although the carcinogenicity of diesel engine exhaust has been demonstrated in multiple studies, little is known regarding exposure-response relationships associated with different exposure subgroups and different lung cancer subtypes.Objectives: We expanded on a previous pooled case-control analysis on diesel engine exhaust and lung cancer by including three additional studies and quantitative exposure assessment to evaluate lung cancer and subtype risks associated with occupational exposure to diesel exhaust characterized by elemental carbon (EC) concentrations.Methods: We used a quantitative EC job-exposure matrix for exposure assessment. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate lung cancer odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with various metrics of EC exposure. Lung cancer excess lifetime risks (ELR) were calculated using life tables accounting for all-cause mortality. Additional stratified analyses by smoking history and lung cancer subtypes were performed in men.Measurements and Main Results: Our study included 16,901 lung cancer cases and 20,965 control subjects. In men, exposure response between EC and lung cancer was observed: odds ratios ranged from 1.09 (95% CI, 1.00-1.18) to 1.41 (95% CI, 1.30-1.52) for the lowest and highest cumulative exposure groups, respectively. EC-exposed men had elevated risks in all lung cancer subtypes investigated; associations were strongest for squamous and small cell carcinomas and weaker for adenocarcinoma. EC lung cancer exposure response was observed in men regardless of smoking history, including in never-smokers. ELR associated with 45 years of EC exposure at 50, 20, and 1 µg/m3 were 3.0%, 0.99%, and 0.04%, respectively, for both sexes combined.Conclusions: We observed a consistent exposure-response relationship between EC exposure and lung cancer in men. Reduction of workplace EC levels to background environmental levels will further reduce lung cancer ELR in exposed workers.

Genome-wide interaction study of smoking behavior and non-small cell lung cancer risk in Caucasian population.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. Both environmental and genetic risk factors contribute to lung carcinogenesis. We conducted a genome-wide interaction analysis between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and smoking status (never- versus ever-smokers) in a European-descent population. We adopted a two-step analysis strategy in the discovery stage: we first conducted a case-only interaction analysis to assess the relationship between SNPs and smoking behavior using 13336 non-small cell lung cancer cases. Candidate SNPs with P-value <0.001 were further analyzed using a standard case-control interaction analysis including 13970 controls. The significant SNPs with P-value <3.5 × 10-5 (correcting for multiple tests) from the case-control analysis in the discovery stage were further validated using an independent replication dataset comprising 5377 controls and 3054 non-small cell lung cancer cases. We further stratified the analysis by histological subtypes. Two novel SNPs, rs6441286 and rs17723637, were identified for overall lung cancer risk. The interaction odds ratio and meta-analysis P-value for these two SNPs were 1.24 with 6.96 × 10-7 and 1.37 with 3.49 × 10-7, respectively. In addition, interaction of smoking with rs4751674 was identified in squamous cell lung carcinoma with an odds ratio of 0.58 and P-value of 8.12 × 10-7. This study is by far the largest genome-wide SNP-smoking interaction analysis reported for lung cancer. The three identified novel SNPs provide potential candidate biomarkers for lung cancer risk screening and intervention. The results from our study reinforce that gene-smoking interactions play important roles in the etiology of lung cancer and account for part of the missing heritability of this disease.

[Occupational diseases in Poland in 2016]. / Choroby zawodowe w Polsce 2016 roku.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the work is to present the epidemiological situation in the field of occupational diseases in Poland in 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cases of occupational diseases identified in accordance with the applicable case law system in Poland and reported to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases in 2016 were analyzed. The analysis includes nosologic units, their causative factors as well as gender and age of patients. Absolute numbers and incidence rates per 100 000 employees were presented. RESULTS: In 2016, 2119 cases of occupational diseases were recorded in Poland, i.e. 14.3 cases per 100 000 employed persons. The incidence rate was mainly caused by pneumoconioses (28.5%), infectious or parasitic diseases (27.2%), chronic voice disorders (9.7%), chronic diseases of the peripheral nervous system (8.6%) and hearing loss (6.3%). The highest incidence was recorded in the mining and quarrying (329.7 cases), agriculture and forestry (23.8 cases), manufacturing (20 cases) and education (17.9 cases) and healthcare and social work activities (17.7 cases). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with 2015, there was an increase in the number of cases of occupational diseases by 1.2%, which was influenced mainly by a larger (by 181 cases) number of pneumoconiosis. The epidemiological situation resulting from occupational diseases in our country, although it covers all identified cases, should be assessed with caution because the suspicion arises underestimation of certain diseases, especially cancer. Med Pr 2018;69(6):643-650.

[Occupational diseases among healthcare and social workers in 2009-2016]. / Choroby zawodowe wsród pracowników opieki zdrowotnej i pomocy spolecznej w latach 2009­2016.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the paper is to present statistical data on the occurrence of occupational diseases among healthcare and social workers in Poland in 2009-2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All cards certifying that a case of occupational disease had been diagnosed in a patient belonging to this occupational group, received by the Central Register of Occupational Diseases, served as the basis of the study. Data is presented in absolute numbers and incidence rates. In the analysis, disease categories, voivodships and occupations were taken into account. RESULTS: In 2009-2016, as many as 1462 cases of occupational diseases were diagnosed for healthcare workers. In 2016, the number of cases was 42.6% lower than in 2009. Mean annual incidence rate in these years was 26.3 cases per 100 thousand workers. The most frequent were: infectious and parasitic diseases (64.8% of cases), peripheral nervous system diseases (9.6%), dermal diseases (8.9%), locomotor (8.3%), and chronic vocal organ disorders (3.2%). Among infectious or parasitic diseases, the most cases were viral hepatitis (56%) and tuberculosis (39%). Almost every second case of occupational disease in healthcare workers was detected in the nurses (47.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of occupational diseases in total and in the most frequent categories continued to decrease. One of the reasons for the decline is the improvement of working conditions resulting from the application of more modern instruments and apparatus as well as greater knowledge of the risks and the use of appropriate procedures. Med Pr 2018;69(5).

Spirometry: a predictor of lung cancer among asbestos workers.

OBJECTIVE: The significance of lung function as an independent risk factor for lung cancer remains unclear. The objective of the study is to answer the question if spirometry can identify patients at risk for lung cancer among people occupationally exposed to asbestos dust in the past. METHODS: In order to identify a group of individuals with the highest risk of lung cancer incidence based on lung function levels of FEV1% predicted value, we examined 6882 subjects enrolled in the health surveillance program for asbestos related diseases over the years 2000-2014. We found a total of 110 cases confirmed as primary lung cancer. RESULTS: Using Cox's proportional hazards model after adjustment for age, gender, number of cigarettes, duration of smoking and cumulative asbestos exposure, we estimated that compared with the subjects with FEV1 ≥90% pred, the HR of lung cancer was 1.40 (95%CI: 0.94-2.08) for the subjects with FEV1 less than 90% and 1.95 (HR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.12-3.08) for those with FEV1 less than 70%. In addition, probability of the occurrence of lung cancer for FEV1 <90% of the predicted value was HR = 2.19 (95%CI: 1.04-4.61) in the subjects whose time since spirometry and cancer diagnosis was three years or less. CONCLUSIONS: The results strongly support the hypothesis that spirometry can identify patients at a risk of lung cancer development. Regular spirometry should be offered to all patients with a history of asbestos exposure, at least once every three years.

[Analysis of changes in radiographic lung image and lung ventilation disorders in workers occupationally exposed to chrysotile in the past]. / Analiza zmian w obrazie radiologicznym pluc i zaburzen czynnosci wentylacyjnej pluc u pracowników zawodowo narazonych na azbest chryzotylowy w przeszlosci.

BACKGROUND: The adverse health effects of occupational exposure to asbestos dust may occur several years after first exposure. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between lesions in the respiratory system and the factors contributing to occupational exposure to asbestos described in the first medical examination as well as to analyze the factors responsible for the progression of these changes in further medical tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 591 former workers of asbestos processing plant "Gambit" in Lubawka. The results of medical examinations carried out in 2001-2012 were assessed. Statistical inference was performed based on bilateral significance tests at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: A higher risk of interstitial lung changes along with an increase in the cumulative concentration of asbestos was indicated; for the employees with the highest exposure, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.63 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-2.71), while for changes with the severity degree qualifying for asbestosis diagnosis, the risk was significantly increased, over fivefold higher, compared to subjects employed in the lowest exposure. The analysis of the relationship between the progression of interstitial changes and the exposure to asbestos dust showed a fourfold higher risk of the progression in workers employed in the highest exposure. Mean values of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s), FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity) were significantly lower in the subjects working in a higher asbestos exposure. The effect of tobacco smoking on the occurrence of interstitial lung changes and their progression was also confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of prophylactic medical examinations of the health status of workers formerly employed in the plants using chrysotile indicate the importance andthe need for a long-term clinical follow-up and the promotion of anti-smoking prevention in this group of former employees. Med Pr 2017;68(2):247-258.

Medical monitoring of asbestos-exposed workers: experience from Poland.

In Poland, the use of asbestos was banned in 1997 and asbestos plants have been closed since then. Despite their closure, cases of asbestos-related occupational diseases among former asbestos workers are still being recorded in the Central Register of Occupational Diseases. Between 2001 and 2014, there were 2726 asbestos-related illnesses, classified and reported as diseases associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. In 2000, Poland introduced a programme called Amiantus, targeted at former asbestos-processing plant workers. The programme provided periodic medical examinations to workers and free access to medications for treatment of asbestos-related illnesses. Introduction of the programme provided additional data to generate a reliable estimation of the number of asbestos-related occupational diseases, including cancer. The average latency period for asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma is about 40 years so there may still be some health impact to former workers necessitating follow-up. We present the Polish experience of implementing a medical examination programme for asbestos-exposed workers and provide a list of activities to consider when planning for such a programme.

En Pologne, l'utilisation de l'amiante a été interdite en 1997 et depuis, les usines d'amiante ont été fermées. Malgré leur fermeture, des cas de maladies professionnelles liées à l'amiante chez les anciens travailleurs de l'amiante continuent d'être enregistrés dans le Registre central des maladies professionnelles. Entre 2001 et 2014, 2726 maladies liées à l'amiante ont été classifiées et consignées dans la catégorie des maladies associées à une exposition professionnelle à l'amiante. En 2000, la Pologne a mis en œuvre un programme appelé Amiantus qui vise les anciens travailleurs des usines de transformation de l'amiante. Ce programme a permis aux travailleurs de passer des examens médicaux périodiques et d'avoir gratuitement accès aux médicaments pour le traitement des maladies liées à l'amiante. L'adoption de ce programme a entraîné la collecte de nouvelles données permettant de fournir une estimation fiable du nombre de maladies professionnelles liées à l'amiante, dont le cancer. La période de latence moyenne pour l'asbestose, le cancer du poumon et le mésothéliome étant d'environ 40 ans, des conséquences sur la santé des anciens travailleurs, imposant un suivi, risquent encore de se manifester. Nous présentons l'expérience menée par la Pologne pour mettre en œuvre un programme d'examens médicaux destiné aux travailleurs exposés à l'amiante et fournissons une liste d'activités à prendre en compte au moment de concevoir ce type de programme.

En Polonia, el uso del amianto se prohibió en 1997 y, desde entonces, las plantas de tratamiento del amianto están cerradas. A pesar de su cierre, siguen registrándose casos de enfermedades laborales relacionadas con el amianto entre los antiguos trabajadores de este material. Entre 2001 y 2014, se detectaron 2 726 casos de enfermedades relacionadas con el amianto, clasificadas y registradas como enfermedades asociadas a la exposición laboral al amianto en el registro central de enfermedades laborales. En el año 2000, Polonia presentó un programa titulado Amiantus, dirigido a antiguos trabajadores de plantas de tratamiento del amianto. El programa ofreció pruebas médicas periódicas a los trabajadores y acceso gratuito a medicamentos para el tratamiento de enfermedades relacionadas con el amianto. La introducción del programa ofreció información adicional para generar una estimación fiable del número de enfermedades laborales relacionadas con el amianto, incluido el cáncer. El periodo de latencia media de la asbestosis, cáncer de pulmón y mesotelioma es de unos 40 años, por lo que aún puede existir cierto impacto para la salud de los antiguos trabajadores y, por tanto, necesitan someterse a un seguimiento. Se presenta la experiencia polaca acerca de la implementación de un programa de pruebas médicas para trabajadores expuestos al amianto y se ofrece una lista de actividades a considerar a la hora de planificar dicho programa.

Occupational diseases among farmers in Poland.

BACKGROUND: The study's objective is to present epidemiological situation concerning the incidence of occupational diseases among farmers in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All 3438 cases of occupational diseases diagnosed among farmers and obligatorily reported to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases (covering all the national territory and all the cases of occupational diseases diagnosed in Poland after 1970) over the years 2000-2014 were subjected to analysis. RESULTS: The annual incidence in the analyzed period ranged 5-14 per 100 000 farmers. The analysis showed that about 90% of pathologies were induced by the biological agents. Almost every third pathology due to biological agents had allergic origin. Infectious and parasitic diseases accounted for 62% of the cases. Among them the diseases carried by ticks (93%) - borreliosis (85.8%) and tick-borne encephalitis (7.2%) were the most frequent ones. The age of farmers, in the case of whom bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis were diagnosed, was significantly higher than the age of remaining employees of the national economy, in which these occupational diseases were recognized. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates the necessity to introduce periodic health examinations programs focusing on agricultural workers to monitor health and well-being and improve working conditions and the working environment. Med Pr 2016;67(2):163-171.

Asbestos related diseases among workers of asbestos processing plants in relation to type of production and asbestos use.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos dust is one of the most dangerous pneumoconiotic and carcinogenic agents. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma, depending on asbestos consumption and the type of manufactured products, among former asbestos workers in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects included employees of 18 large state-owned asbestos processing enterprises operating in the Polish market in 1945-1998. The study is based on data obtained from asbestos company records and the Central Register of Occupational Diseases data on the cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma for the period from 1970 till 2012 as well as data from Amiantus Programme. The analysis was performed for 5 sectors comprising plants classified according to the products manufactured and applied production technology. RESULTS: In the study period, 2160 cases of asbestosis and 138 cases of mesothelioma were reported. The plants processed a total of about 2 million tons of asbestos, including about 7.5% of crocidolite. Total asbestosis consumption was a strong predictor of the rate of asbestosis incidence (R2 = 0.68, p = 0.055). The highest risk occurrence of asbestosis was observed in the production of textiles and sealing products. Mesothelioma occurred only in plants where crocidolite had been ever processed. CONCLUSIONS: Total asbestos consumption was a strong predictor of the rate of asbestosis incidence. The observation confirms the relationship between exposure to crocidolite and the occurrence of mesothelioma, regardless of the manufactured products, and suggests the absence of such a link for the total volume of asbestos consumption.

Effect of a 10-week yoga programme on the quality of life of women after breast cancer surgery.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The following research is aimed at determining the effect of yoga on the quality of life of women after breast cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-week yoga programme included 90-minute yoga lessons once a week. To estimate the quality of life, questionnaires developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23) were used. An experimental group consisted of 12 women who practised yoga, a control group - of 16 women who did not. Between groups there were no differences in age, time from operation and characteristics associated with disease, treatment and participation in rehabilitation. RESULTS: Our results revealed an improvement of general health and quality of life, physical and social functioning as well as a reduction of difficulties in daily activities among exercising women. Also their future prospects enhanced - they worried less about their health than they used to before participating in the programme. As compared to baseline, among exercising women, fatigue, dyspnoea and discomfort (pain, swelling, sensitivity) in the arm and breast on the operated side decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the exercising programme resulted in an improvement of physical functioning, reduction of fatigue, dyspnoea, and discomfort in the area of the breast and arm on the operated side. Based on our results and those obtained in foreign studies, we conclude that rehabilitation with the use of yoga practice improves the quality of life of the patients after breast cancer surgery. However, we recommend further research on this issue in Poland.

Opinion of teenagers on smoking-free policy in public places and its determinants - evidence from a global youth tobacco survey in five European countries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Smoking-free policies protect non-smokers from the negative effects of smoking, but many young adults still use products containing nicotine. The aim of this article is to analyze the factors that influence young people's attitudes towards the ban on smoking in public places. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from a representative sample of young adults aged 13-15 from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: At least a quarter of the adolescents were exposed to cigarette smoking, about 40% have parents who smoke and over 50% declared that they have peers who smoke. A higher proportion of adolescents have knowledge about the harmful effects of second-hand smoking (62.6-71.9%), but at least one-fifth of young people are still exposed to the marketing of tobacco products. Compared with current smoking, those with never smoked were significantly associated with positive attitude toward to restricting smoking in all five analyzed countries, with an AOR= 4.74 (95% CI: 3.61-6.23), AOR=4.33 (95% CI: 2.32-8.07), AOR=2.85 (95% CI: 2.19-3.70) and AOR=2.45 (95% CI: 1.65-3.64), respectively. Gender, age, smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking, anti-smoking education, seeing people using tobacco and exposure to tobacco marketing, were significantly associated with the attitudes of young people towards restricting smoking in public places. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides useful information on factors that should be taken into account when planning anti-smoking strategies so that young people are able to resist the pressure to use tobacco products.

Comparative evaluation of ten blood biomarkers of inflammation in regular heated tobacco users and non-smoking healthy males-a pilot study.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are novel tobacco products that are alternatives to cigarettes. The study aimed to investigate the effect of HTPs on blood biomarkers of inflammation as well as to provide a comparative evaluation between daily heated tobacco users and healthy men who do not use nicotine products. This case-control study was carried out among 92 healthy males in Poland (Lodz-Province) aged 20-56 years: 44 daily heated tobacco users (daily use in the past 90 days) and 48 controls who do not use nicotine products. The history of use of the nicotine-containing products was self-reported and verified using a saliva cotinine test. A 20 ml blood sample was collected and the levels of ten blood biomarkers were analyzed. Among all heated tobacco users (n = 44), only the levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) were significantly higher when compared to controls: 6.86 vs. 3.95 (p = 0.01). Among exclusive heated tobacco users (n = 33), the levels of IL-8 were also significantly higher when compared to controls: 7.76 vs. 3.95 (p = 0.01). IL-8 level was positively correlated (r = 0.37; p = 0.01) with the daily number of heated tobacco sticks. Out of 10 different biomarkers of inflammation, only IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in heated tobacco use compared to controls.

Poor oral health influences head and neck cancer patient survival: an International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral health has been identified as a prognostic factor potentially affecting the survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, evidence to date supporting this association has emanated from studies based on single cohorts with small-to-modest sample sizes. METHODS: Pooled analysis of 2449 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma participants from 4 studies of the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium included data on periodontal disease, tooth brushing frequency, mouthwash use, numbers of natural teeth, and dental visits over the 10 years prior to diagnosis. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used and adjusted for age, sex, race, geographic region, tumor site, tumor-node-metastasis stage, treatment modality, education, and smoking to estimate risk ratios (RR) of associations between measures of oral health and overall survival. RESULTS: Remaining natural teeth (10-19 teeth: RR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69 to 0.95; ≥20 teeth: RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78 to 0.99) and frequent dental visits (>5 visits: RR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66 to 0.91) were associated with better overall survival. The inverse association with natural teeth was most pronounced among patients with hypopharyngeal and/or laryngeal, and not otherwise specified head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The association with dental visits was most pronounced among patients with oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Patient-reported gingival bleeding, tooth brushing, and report of ever use of mouthwash were not associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Good oral health as defined by maintenance of the natural dentition and frequent dental visits appears to be associated with improved overall survival among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.