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. 2007 Oct;53(10):1704-11.

Cancer health effects of pesticides: systematic review

K L Bassil  1 , C Vakil, M Sanborn, D C Cole, J S Kaur, K J Kerr
Affiliations

Cancer health effects of pesticides: systematic review

K L Bassil et al. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Oct.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To review literature documenting associations between pesticide use and cancer.

Data sources: We searched MEDLINE, PreMedline, CancerLit, and LILACS to find studies published between 1992 and 2003 on non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and 8 solid-tumour cancers: brain, breast, kidney, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and stomach cancer.

Study selection: Each title and abstract was assessed for relevance; disagreements among reviewers were resolved by consensus. Studies were assessed by a team of 2 trained reviewers and rated based on methodologic quality according to a 5-page assessment tool and a global assessment scale. Studies rated below a global score of 4 out of 7 were excluded.

Synthesis: Most studies on non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia showed positive associations with pesticide exposure. Some showed dose-response relationships, and a few were able to identify specific pesticides. Children's and pregnant women's exposure to pesticides was positively associated with the cancers studied in some studies, as was parents' exposure to pesticides at work. Many studies showed positive associations between pesticide exposure and solid tumours. The most consistent associations were found for brain and prostate cancer. An association was also found between kidney cancer in children and their parents' exposure to pesticides at work. These associations were most consistent for high and prolonged exposures. Specific weaknesses and inherent limitations in epidemiologic studies were noted, particularly around ascertaining whether and how much exposure had taken place.

Conclusion: Our findings support attempts to reduce exposure to pesticides. Reductions are likely best achieved through decreasing pesticide use for cosmetic (non-commercial) purposes (where children might be exposed) and on the job.

OBJECTIF: Faire une revue de la littérature portant sur l’association entre les pesticides et le cancer.

SOURCE DES DONNÉES: On a repéré dans MEDLINE, Premedicine, CancerLit et LILACS les études publiées entre 1992 et 2003 qui traitaient de lymphomes non hodgkiniens, de leucémies et de 8 tumeurs cancéreuses solides: cerveau, sein, rein, poumon, ovaire, pancréas, prostate et estomac.

CHOIX DES ÉTUDES: La pertinence de chacun des titres et résumés a été évaluée : toute discordance entre réviseurs a été résolue par consensus. Une équipe de 2 réviseurs expérimentés a évalué la qualité de la méthodologie à l’aide d’un outil d’évaluation de 5 pages et d’une échelle d’évaluation globale. Les études obtenant un score global inférieur à 4 sur 7 ont été exclues.

SYNTHÈSE: La plupart des études sur les lymphomes non hodgkiniens etsur les leucémies montraient une association positive avec l’exposition aux pesticides. Certaines montraient une relation dose-réponse et quelques-unes avaient pu identifier des pesticides spécifiques. Certaines études montraient que les cancers étudiés étaient plus fréquents chez les enfants et les femmes enceintes exposés à des pesticides, mais aussi chez les parents qui y étaient exposés au travail. Plusieurs travaux montraient une association positive entre l’exposition aux pesticides et certaines tumeurs solides. Les associations les plus fréquentes concernaient les cancers du cerveau et de la prostate. On a également observé une association entre le cancer rénal chez les enfants et l’exposition des parents aux pesticides au travail. Ces associations étaient plus fréquentes lors d’expositions fortes et prolongées. On a noté des faiblesses spécifiques et des limitations inhérentes dans les études épidémiologiques, en particulier dans la façon de déterminer s’il y avait eu exposition et à quel degré.

CONCLUSION: Nos observations viennent à l’appui des efforts pour réduire l’usage des pesticides. La meilleure façon d’y arriver est probablement en réduisant l’exposition professionnelle ainsi que l’usage à des fins cosmétiques (non commerciales), qui risque davantage d’exposer les enfants.

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Comment in

  • Friend or foe.
    Kelsall D. Kelsall D. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Oct;53(10):1631. Can Fam Physician. 2007. PMID: 17934015 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • [Attention! Danger!].
    Ladouceur R. Ladouceur R. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Oct;53(10):1633. Can Fam Physician. 2007. PMID: 17934016 Free PMC article. French. No abstract available.

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