Cancer of lymphatic tissues in cane-growing areas of Queensland.

The mortality from leukaemias and lymphomas in a tropical urban region of Queensland (Townsville) and in the mainly tropical cane-farming regions of Queensland was investigated. It was found that, compared with the general population of Queensland, there were fewer deaths from neoplastic disease of the lymphatic tissues in women in both regions; that there were fewer deaths from neoplastic disease of the lymphatic tissues in men in Townsville, but not in the cane-growing areas; and that, during the period 1968-1981, there was a significantly lower number of deaths from leukaemia (13 deaths; SMR, 49; P less than 0.01) in women over 60 years of age in the cane-growing areas, which contrasted with a significantly greater number of deaths from leukaemia (61 deaths; SMR, 154; P less than 0.01) in men 60 years and over in the cane-growing areas.