Mohamed Khalis1,2, Karima El Rhazi1, Emmanuel Fort2, Véronique Chajès3, Hafida Charaka4, Inge Huybrechts3, Aurélie Moskal3, Carine Biessy3, Isabelle Romieu3, Fouad Abbass4, Boujemaa El Marnissi4, Nawfel Mellas5, Chakib Nejjari6, Amr S Soliman7, Barbara Charbotel2. 1. Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Fez, Morocco. 2. IFSTTAR, UMRESTTE, UCBL, University of Lyon, Lyon, France. 3. Nutrition and Metabolism Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. 4. Department of Research and Development, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Fez, Morocco. 5. Department of Oncology, Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Fez, Morocco. 6. Department of Public Health, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco. 7. Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, City University of New York, New York, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among Moroccan women. Environmental and occupational factors may play a role in breast cancer etiology. This study aimed to investigate the association between occupation, industry, and breast cancer risk among Moroccan women. METHODS: A total of 300 breast cancer cases and 300 controls (matched by age and area of residence) were included in this study. Full occupational history was collected, with a detailed description of each job held for at least 6 months. Occupations were coded according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 08) and the Moroccan Analytical Classification of Professions (2001). Industries were coded according to the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (2008). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounders were estimated by using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: An overall decreased risk of breast cancer was observed among women doing only household work (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.18-0.55). An increased risk of breast cancer was observed among women in agricultural occupations, particularly those employed as agricultural laborers (ISCO 08 code: 921; OR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.51-5.60) and the risk increased with duration of employment (P trend = .01). Analyses by industry corroborated these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that occupational exposures may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer among female agricultural workers in this population. Further investigations, with advanced methods of occupational exposure assessment, are warranted to clarify the role of chemicals involved in this high-risk occupation and to suggest preventive actions and screening.
BACKGROUND:Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among Moroccan women. Environmental and occupational factors may play a role in breast cancer etiology. This study aimed to investigate the association between occupation, industry, and breast cancer risk among Moroccan women. METHODS: A total of 300 breast cancer cases and 300 controls (matched by age and area of residence) were included in this study. Full occupational history was collected, with a detailed description of each job held for at least 6 months. Occupations were coded according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 08) and the Moroccan Analytical Classification of Professions (2001). Industries were coded according to the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (2008). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounders were estimated by using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: An overall decreased risk of breast cancer was observed among women doing only household work (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.18-0.55). An increased risk of breast cancer was observed among women in agricultural occupations, particularly those employed as agricultural laborers (ISCO 08 code: 921; OR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.51-5.60) and the risk increased with duration of employment (P trend = .01). Analyses by industry corroborated these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that occupational exposures may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer among female agricultural workers in this population. Further investigations, with advanced methods of occupational exposure assessment, are warranted to clarify the role of chemicals involved in this high-risk occupation and to suggest preventive actions and screening.