Male Cancer Incidence by Occupation: New Zealand, 1972–1984

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify male occupational groups with increased incidence of cancer for the period 1972–1984 in New Zealand. No data on cancer incidence by occupation have been reported previously for New Zealand. Age (SIR₁) and age and socioeconomic level (SIR₂) standardized incidence ratios were calculated for males 15–64 years for all cancers combined and for site-specific cancers by occupational group. Directly age standardized rates were also calculated by socioeconomic leve. In general, occupations in higher socioeconomic levels had lower all-cancer incidence ratios and lower socio-economic levels had higher ratios. However, the highest socioeconomic level (level 1) had a higher all-cancer incidence rate than levels 2–6. After socioeconomic adjustment an increased incidence ratio for lung cancer was found for jewellery and precious metal workers (SIR₂ = 241; 95% confidence interval [Cl] : 120–433), and bricklayers and carpenters (SIR₂ = 130; 95% Cl : 116–146). Woodworkers had increased ratios for stomach (SIR₂ = 144; 95% Cl : 110–186) and rectal cancer (SIR₂ = 146; 95% Cl : 116–181). Firefighters had an increase for laryngeal cancer (SIR₂ = 1074; 95% Cl : 279–2776). Research appears to be warranted to further investigate associations of laryngeal cancer in firefighters, lung cancer in jewellery and precious metal workers and bricklayers and carpenters, and digestive cancers in woodworkers.