A Case-Control Study of Prostate Cancer Within a Cohort of Rubber and Tire Workers

Abstract

A matched case-control study was conducted to test the hypothesis that prostate cancer is associated with employment in the compounding area of a rubber and tire manufacturing plant. A search of death certificates from the years 1964-1975 led to the identification of 88 cases of prostate cancer. These were individually matched with 258 controls on the factors of age, race and date of entry into the plant. To eliminate possible confounding by sociodemographic differences, several variables were assessed but none differed significantly between cases and controls. The batch preparation work area showed statistically significant (P < 0.025) risk ratios over 3 exposure periods: more than 1 mo., more than 24 mo., and more than 60 months. The service to batch preparation and shipping and receiving work areas showed significant risks for blacks. The data were used to assess a latent period or etiologic fraction for prostate cancer for those employed in batch preparation. Twenty-nine yr was estimated to be the latent period while the period of greatest risk occurred during the years 1940-1947.