Cancer mortality among butchers: a 24-state death certificate study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to document cancer mortality among American butchers.

Methods: Death certificates collected in 24 American states were used to calculate mortality odds ratios (ORs) and their confidence intervals (CIs) for 18,639 butchers.

Results: Butchers experienced an increased mortality of cancer of the oral cavity (OR, 1.40; 95% CI = 1.09-1.81), esophagus (OR, 1.19; 95% CI = 1.01-1.40), pharynx (OR, 1.22; 95% CI = 0.91-1.64), and larynx (OR, 1.19; 95% CI = 0.92-1.54), as well as a reduced mortality from melanoma (OR, 0.70; 95% CI = 0.52-0.94), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR, 0.82; 95% CI = 0.69-0.97), and breast cancer (OR, 0.76; 95% CI = 0.58-0.99).

Conclusions: It is likely that occupational exposures experienced by butchers have contributed to the increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus.