Sugarcane Farming, Occupational Solvent Exposures, and the Risk of Oral Cancer in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The work history information from a population-based case-control study conducted in Puerto Rico was analyzed using a job exposure matrix to investigate the relationship between occupational exposures and cancers of the oral cavity or pharynx. After adjustment for age, alcohol, smoking, and residence in a logistic model, the risk for cancer of the oral cavity, but not the pharynx, was significantly elevated among farm workers in the sugarcane industry (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.4-13.6). An exposure-response trend was seen for cumulative exposure to solvents, with an OR = 3.2 (95% CI = 0.8-12.6) in the highest exposure category. The overall contribution to the risk of cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx associated with occupational exposures in Puerto Rico appears to be small, however, the elevated risks were seen among sugarcane farmers and subjects with high cumulative exposure to solvents.