Study findings from George Washington University provide new insights into cancer epidemiology
2007 NOV 19 -- Fresh data on cancer are presented in the report 'Evaluating causality for occupational cancers: the example of firefighters.' "The evaluation of causality in cancers associated with firefighting presents problems common to other applications of occupational epidemiology in adjudication of individual claims for workers' compensation. A trend in Canada to establish legislated presumptions for compensation of firefighters created an opportunity to re-evaluate the literature applying medicolegal standards of certainty To evaluate causality in selected cancer categories for firefighters using the criteria applied in tort litigation and workers' compensation, which is based on the weight of evidence and which is required to take into account individual factors The epidemiological literature on cancer risk among firefighters was reviewed based on the weight of evidence rather than scientific certainty," researchers in the United States report. "Generalizable frameworks were formulated to define recurrent issues in assessing the evidence from epidemiological studies. The evidence for latency and for a threshold effect with duration of employment was also examined in order to provide practical guidelines Presumption is justified for the following cancers: bladder, kidney, testicular and brain, and lung cancer among non-smokers. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma (each as a class) not only present particular problems in assessment but also merit an assumption of presumption. Four analytical frameworks describe the problems in analysis encountered The preponderance of evidence supports the presumption of causation for certain cancer, mostly rare. These frameworks are applicable to other problems of adjudication that rest on interpretation of epidemiological data," wrote T.L Guidotti and colleagues, George Washington University. The researchers concluded: "The named cancers, taking into account the special assessment issues described by each framework, are supported by sufficient evidence to conclude that a presumption is warranted but not necessarily sufficient evidence to accept as proof by a scientific standard." Guidotti and colleagues published their study in Occupational Medicine (Evaluating causality for occupational cancers: the example of firefighters. Occupational Medicine, 2007;57(7):466-71). For additional information, contact T.L. Guidotti, School of Public Health and Health Services, Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20052 USA.. Publisher contact information for the journal Occupational Medicine is: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England. Keywords: United States, Washington, Cancer Epidemiology, Cancer, Epidemiology, Occupational Medicine, Oncology. This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.
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