STUDYING THE EVIDENCE OF COMPLEXITY OF INTERACTION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND HOST CANCER RISK FACTORS IN AN AREA WITH SUSPECTED CANCER CLUSTER IN EGYPT

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body with rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and can metastasize. The aim of this study was to explore the feature of the problem of cancer among Wady El Mollak citizens to add to research a new study in the field; to determine possible risk factors which may be responsible for horrible problem and the objectives were to assess the magnitude of the problem; to identifying the possible risk factors through comparing with comparable area. Subjects and Methods: Multi method research including case control study and ecological study were conducted at El-Mollak village in Sharkia Governorate, in November 2012. Cases of cancer were sixteen (N=16) at El Mollak village, their features were studied and matched, control group (N=16) selected randomly from a nearby village where no symptoms of cancer. A pre-coded pre-constructed questionnaire was used to collect the relevant data from cases and their controls. The ecological part of this study was done through searching the environmental risk factors and linking them to the cases and through reviewing the results of samples taken from water canal, tap water and soil of El Mollak village. Results: It was found that farming occupational exposure and pesticides exposure are statistically significant in the case group. Eating fish is statistically higher among cases than among controls. Environmental factors including; trench waste disposal, living near electrical fields and military croups are highly statistically significant among cases than among controls (P< 0.01). Presence of relatives with similar cancer or other cancers are statistically significant in the cases group. Conclusions and Recommendations: Cancer risk results from different complex interaction of host factors with environmental and occupational exposure. So need exists to revitalize comprehensive global cancer control policies by incorporating primary interventions against the modifiable cancer risk factors.
Key words: cancer, cluster, risk factor, occupational and environmental factor.