Occupations and the Risk of Bladder Cancer in Yazd Province: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the most common cancer of the urinary tract, with known occupational causes. The most effective way to prevent occupational cancers of the urinary tract is to prevent exposure to known carcinogens. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between occupation and the risk of bladder cancer. METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 200 patients with bladder cancer and 200 healthy individuals in Yazd. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and based on interviews with patients and controls. RESULTS: The mean age of cases and controls were 61.5 (SD 13.6) and 61.5 (13.3) years, respectively. Level of education, type of occupation, family history of bladder cancer in the first-degree relatives, and history of chronic and recurrent urinary tract infection, kidney and bladder stones, and using hair dye, were considered the main predictors for bladder cancer. CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference between cases and controls in terms of type of occupation. The risk of bladder cancer was higher among those working in high-risk occupations—metal working, textile, driving, farming, and construction.