Occupational Medicine 1988;38:69-72
© 1988 Society of Occupational Medicine
research-article |
Continuing High Lung Cancer Mortality among Ex-amosite Asbestos Factory Workers and a Pilot Study of Individual Anti-smoking Advice
MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit University of Southampton, UK
A continued doubling of lung cancer mortality to the end of 1986 is reported among 4825 male workers formerly exposed to amosite asbestos, with a marked gradient of increasing risk with increasing level of exposure. Overall, there have been 93 deaths from lung cancer, which is 48 more than the 45 to be expected at national rates. To explore novel means of reducing this risk in the approximately 80 per cent of the workforce still living, both by reducing hopefully some at least of the risk associated synergistically with amosite exposure and smoking as well as that associated directly with cigarette smoking, a feasibility study of individual worker notification has been carried out. A sample of 1001 of the men, those currently living nearest the factory, have been sent information on the lung cancer findings and on anti-smoking advice through their general practitioners. A substantial proportion.(78 per cent) of the general practitioners indicated their intention to follow up the anti-smoking suggestions with their smoking patients. Also, a high proportion (62 per cent) of the smokers among the men who replied, indicated their intention to stop or cut down on cigarette smoking, although at 30 per cent the overall response rate was disappointingly low, It is now proposed to extend the notification coverage to all the ex-amosite workers using the methods described, with improvements where possible, and to examine lung cancer trends in future years. It is possible that over 500 lung cancer deaths could be averted in these men.
Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Professor M. J. Gardner, MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO9 4XY, UK