The Usefulness of an Online Simplified Screening Questionnaire (SSQ) in Identifying Work-Related Cancers.

To obtain a history of occupational exposure in the workplace, the questionnaire is one of the main sources of information. The aim of this study was to develop an online questionnaire using the REDCap data management platform based on the Work-Related Cancer Surveillance Guidelines, reported by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute. Several issues were taken into consideration for its routine application. It should be simple, easy, capable of being applied in a short time and used in the clinical setting of collecting information on the occupational history of the cancer patient. Consequently, this could enable the compulsory notification of work-related cancer. The questionnaire was developed based on questions about the use of and exposure to carcinogenic factors at work and due to smoking. An entirely electronic version of the cancer patient interview was performed using tablets. The online questionnaire was applied at the Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, to newly diagnosed patients from July 2016 to 2018. A total of 1063 patients were included, and 550 indicated positively when asked "Do you work, or have you worked with this substance and/or in this function?/job?" Of these potentially notified patients, 38 subsequently had compulsorily reported work-related cancer. Another important result of this study was the creation and development of a website. In conclusion, we developed an online tool that could facilitate hospital routines, contributing to generating data for the compulsory notification of work-related cancer and triggering investigations and surveillance actions in Brazil.

Evaluation of Exposure to Toluene and Xylene in Gasoline Station Workers.

The main volatile organic compounds found at gasoline stations are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX). They cause several harmful effects on human health. Regulatory Norm 7 (1978) provides that, in Brazil, biological monitoring of toluene and xylene is carried out by measuring the urinary metabolites hippuric acid (HA) and methylhippuric acid (MHA), respectively. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure to toluene and xylene and to identify related signs and symptoms in gasoline station workers. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with workers occupationally exposed to fuels. These gasoline station workers were divided into two groups: 94 workers exposed mainly by inhalation (convenience store workers (CSWs)) and 181 workers exposed by inhalation and dermal route (filling station attendants (FSAs)). A comparison group was formed by 119 workers not occupationally exposed to fuels (office workers (OWs)). Workers exposed to fuels had higher average levels of these exposure biomarkers (HA and MHA), which were also higher in convenience store workers than in filling station attendants. In addition, individuals exposed to the solvents present in gasoline had altered mood/depression, cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, irritability/nervousness, weakness, weight loss, and other symptoms more frequently and had higher urinary levels of HA and MHA compared to the comparison group. Gasoline station workers showed high levels of HA and MHA, reflecting high occupational exposure to the solvents toluene and xylene present in gasoline, demonstrating that changes in the current legislation and in the work environment are necessary to ensure better health protection for these workers.

[Screening methodology application to evaluate cancer mortality in selected cities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Aplicação de uma metodologia de screening para avaliar a mortalidade por câncer em municípios selecionados do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil.

An epidemiological investigation was launched in several cities in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, considering the possibility of increased cancer incidence due to high exposure to natural radiation. First, the cancer mortality patterns were assessed to determine whether there was an increase in cancer deaths and to discuss the possible risk factors related to such an increase. The study proposed the use of a screening methodology based on standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in order to classify priority areas for future studies. Cities considered high priority for further investigation were: Andradas, for lung cancer in men (SMR = 208 (106-310)) and liver cancer in women (SMR = 403 (104-701)); Poços de Caldas, leukemia in men and women (SMR = 284 (156-412)) and SMR = 211 (111-312), respectively); Pouso Alegre, leukemia in men (SMR = 333 (127-540)) and hematological cancers in women (SMR = 257 (188-396)). Epidemiological studies are necessary to evaluate the role of radiation and other risk factors in these cancers and thus to support future preventive and control measures.

Aplicação de uma metodologia de screening para avaliar a mortalidade por câncer em municípios selecionados do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Screening methodology application to evaluate cancer mortality in selected cities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Iniciou-se uma investigação epidemiológica em municípios do sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil, considerando a possibilidade de aumento na incidência de câncer devido a maior exposição à radiação natural em alguns deles. Buscou-se, preliminarmente, conhecer o padrão de mortalidade por câncer, avaliar se existe excesso de óbitos e discutir os possíveis fatores de risco associados a esse aumento. Propõe-se uma metodologia de screening com base na razão de mortalidade padronizada (RMP) para classificar os municípios prioritários em estudos futuros. Os municípios considerados de altíssima prioridade para investigação foram: Andradas - câncer de pulmão em homens [RMP = 208 (106-310)] e fígado em mulheres [RMP = 403 (104-701)]; Poços de Caldas - leucemia em homens e mulheres (RMP = 284 (156-412) e RMP = 211 (111-312), respectivamente); Pouso Alegre - leucemia em homens [RMP = 333 (127-540)] e cânceres hematológicos em mulheres [RMP = 257 (188-396)].Estudos epidemiológicos devem ser conduzidos para avaliar a contribuição da radiação e outros fatores de riscos relacionados ao câncer e assim subsidiar futuras medidas de prevenção e controle.

An epidemiological investigation was launched in several cities in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, considering the possibility of increased cancer incidence due to high exposure to natural radiation. First, the cancer mortality patterns were assessed to determine whether there was an increase in cancer deaths and to discuss the possible risk factors related to such an increase. The study proposed the use of a screening methodology based on standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in order to classify priority areas for future studies. Cities considered high priority for further investigation were: Andradas, for lung cancer in men (SMR = 208 (106-310)) and liver cancer in women (SMR = 403 (104-701)); Poços de Caldas, leukemia in men and women (SMR = 284 (156-412)) and SMR = 211 (111-312), respectively); Pouso Alegre, leukemia in men (SMR = 333 (127-540)) and hematological cancers in women (SMR = 257 (188-396)). Epidemiological studies are necessary to evaluate the role of radiation and other risk factors in these cancers and thus to support future preventive and control measures.