Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common of the malignancies affecting the urinary tract. Smoking and exposure to occupational and environmental carcinogens are responsible for most cases. Vallès Occidental is a highly industrialized area in north-eastern Spain with one of the highest incidences of BC in men. We carried out a case-control study in order to identify the specific risk factors involved in this area. Three hundred and six participants were included (153 cases BC and 153 controls matched for age and sex): in each group, 89.5% (n = 137) were male and the mean age was 71 years (range 30-91; SD = 10.6). There were no differences between groups in family history, body mass index, or dietary habits. Independent risk factors for CV were smoking (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.30-3.32; p = 0.002), the use of analgesics in nonsmokers (OR 10.00; 95% CI 1.28-78.12; p = 0.028), and profession (OR: 8.63; 95% CI 1.04-71.94; p = 0.046). The consumption of black and blond tobacco, the use of analgesics in nonsmokers, and occupational exposures are risk factors for the development of BC in this area, despite the reduction in smoking in the population and the extensive measures taken in the last few decades in major industries to prevent exposure to occupational carcinogens.
Journal of clinical medicine. 2023 Jan 16*** epublish ***
José M Caballero, José M Gili, Juan C Pereira, Alba Gomáriz, Carlos Castillo, Montserrat Martín-Baranera
Department of Urology, Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa, Plaza Dr. Robert 5, 08221 Terrassa, Spain., Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Edificio M Campus Universitario UAB, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.