An Italian population-based case-control study on the association between farming and cancer: are pesticides a plausible risk factor?

This population-based case-control study investigated the association between farming (a proxy for pesticide exposure) and cancer in the Vercelli suburban area (NW Italy). The residents, aged 25 to 79 years, in the above-mentioned area during the period 2002-2009 were considered. Cases were all the first hospital admissions for cancer. Controls were all the subjects not included in the cases and not excluded from the study. Cases and controls were classified according to whether they occupationally resulted farmers or non-farmers during the period 1965-2009. Cancer odds ratios (ORs) between farmers and non-farmers were calculated with Generalized Linear Mixed Models adjusted by gender and age. Farmers showed a higher odds for all cancers (OR = 1.459, P < 0.001), non-melanoma skin cancer, colorectal and breast cancer. Results suggest a plausible association between pesticide exposure and cancer occurrence.