Bladder cancer and occupation: a report from the belgian case-control study on bladder cancer risk

Background The aim of this study was to add to the data on associations between occupation and bladder cancer thereby strengthening the case for focused research on specific occupational categories. Methods Two hundred two cases and 390 controls participated in this population-based case-control study. Age, sex, smoking, and education adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each occupation by unconditional logistic regression. Results The occupational group of domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers exhibited a significantly elevated risk of bladder cancer Elevated non-significant risks (OR > 1.5) were observed for painters and varnishers, electronic equipment assemblers, general laborers, building finishers, carpenters andjoiners, architects and engineers, and textile and garment workers. Conclusions This study suggests that domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers probably experience an increased risk of bladder cancer. Although no other occupations showed significantly increased risks, the non-significantly elevated risks for painters, catpenters, and textile workers could be confirmed by results from earlier studies.