Abstract

Large scale occupational disease surveillance has been challenging in many countries, with a few notable exceptions, such as the Nordic countries with their substantial record linkage abilities. We present initial results for lung cancer from a new Canadian Occupational Disease Surveillance System.

The surveillance cohort was created using data from Ontario, Canada time-loss workers’ compensation claims 1983–2016 (96% for injuries) linked to cancer registry records. Follow-up was from first claim date until diagnosis, death, loss-to-follow-up or 2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for each industry/occupation using Cox Proportional Hazard models, adjusted for year of birth and stratified on gender.

The study population was 7 40 000 women and 1,430,000 men. Significant excess risks were observed in many of the a priori suspected occupations and industries, particularly in construction, mining, and transportation occupations. In addition, other relevant associations were observed among both women and men, such as for janitors and cleaners (men: HR=1.22, 95% CI=1.16–1.29, women: HR=1.22, 95% CI=1.13–1.32) and primary metals industry (men: HR=1.18, 95% CI=1.11–1.25, women: HR=1.20, 95% CI=0.89–1.60). Many sex-specific associations were also observed, particularly in women (such as printing and publishing industries: HR=1.42, 95% CI=1.23–1.65 and chemical, rubber and plastic processing occupations HR=1.31, 95% CI=1.15–1.51), which will need further investigation.

The excess risks observed in many a priori suspected groups provides a good confirmation that this study can produce valid results and identify new associations. Triage methods are being developed to target new associations in need of further investigation. Future analyses will use hospital discharge data and outpatient visits.