A Collaborative Investigation of the Incidence of Cancer among Workers in an Auto Parts Plant
| Principal investigator(s): | Roland Wong
(Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers) |
| Co-investigator(s): | Ted Haines (McMaster University); Paul Sampara (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); G.Tomlinson (University of Toronto) |
| Sponsoring Institution: | Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers |
Objective
The objectives of this study were: (a) to explore the feasibility of using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach including workers’ satisfaction in studying a cluster of cancer cases; (b) to investigate a feasibility study on possible excess rates of brain cancer, among a group of automotive parts manufacturing plant workers; and (c) to develop workers’ training materials on how to investigate cancer clusters.
Method
A participatory action research model was used with initial formation of a research advisory committee and selection of worker researchers. The training of worker researchers involved training on the basics of research methods and developing a handbook for worker researchers. Former plant workers participated in hazard mapping in a town hall meeting. The worker researchers examined old union and company records to extract information for the cohort to be followed. The cohort was matched with the cancer incidence registry at Cancer Care Ontario. An opinion survey was conducted to evaluate workers acceptance of the study.
Results
Worker researchers were selected on the basis of their interest and knowledge of the workplace. A total of 556 records had sufficient data for matching with Cancer Care Ontario. There were 258 females and 298 males. A total of 37 incident cancers were detected. Malignant neoplasm of the brain was detected in one worker in the cohort. Among the four brain cancers one was a primary cancer, two were secondary cancers that metastasized to the brain and one was an eye cancer. Lung cancer was found in 4 workers, breast cancer in 7 workers and prostate cancer in 6 workers.
Conclusions
Occupational disease clusters may be investigated using an alternate model, the Participatory Action Research model. There was high worker acceptance of the PAR method in terms of their wish to participate and their opinion that the study was done honestly. The project has prepared a handbook, currently in final revision, that can be used to train workers in cancer cluster research. The perception of a cluster of primary brain cancer is not supported at this time. The lack of a positive association does not mean that there is an absence of cancer caused by the workplace; there are deficiencies in the cohort assembly and follow-up as well as a relatively young cohort and a short latency time. The researchers hope to match the cohort to the Ontario Cancer Care Registry and the Canadian Mortality database in five years time.
For more information:
wong261@yahoo.com
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