Occupation and Risk of Gastric Cancer in Lithuania

Objective: Aim of the study was to evaluate associations between risk of gastric cancer and occupation as well as some environmental factors at workplace.Methods: A case-control study included 379 cases with diagnose of gastric cancer and 1,137 controls that were cancer and gastric diseases free. Controls were matched to cases by gender and age (±5yr.). Ratio of case and controls was 1:3. A questionnaire used to collect information on occupation and employment duration, exposure to dust, chemicals, radiation, stress at workplace and other possible risk factors related to lifestyle. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) estimated by the conditional logistic regression model.Results: After controlling for alcohol use, smoking, family history on cancer, some food items, physical activity and interviewer, i.e. items that were associated with gastric cancer, increased risk of gastric cancer was observed for 9th ISCO (International Standard Classification of Occupations) category (elementary occupations) compared to all subjects with no employment in that occupation category (OR = 1.97, 95% CI=1.29-2.99). Higher risk of the disease was found for persons employed in elementary occupations for more than 21 years (OR = 1.99, 95 % CI=1.09-3.64). Exposure to chemicals at work enhanced gastric cancer risk (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.07-1.89). Non significant increase of the disease was associated with exposure to dust (OR=1.28, 95% CI=0.97-1.69) and stress at workplace (OR=1.27, 95% CI=0.95-1.71).Conclusion: The findings suggest that some occupational factors may be related to increased risk of gastric cancer.