International Agency for Research on Cancer

About: International Agency for Research on Cancer is a government organization based out in Lyon, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 2989 authors who have published 9010 publications receiving 929752 citations. The organization is also known as: IARC.

A review of human carcinogens—Part C: metals, arsenic, dusts, and fibres

Abstract: In March, 2009, 27 scientists from eight countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to reassess the carcinogenicity of metals, arsenic, dusts, and fi bres previously classifi ed as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) and to identify additional tumour sites and mechanisms of carcinogenesis (table). These assessments will be published as part C of Volume 100 of the IARC Monographs. Inhalation is the primary route of exposure to arsenic in the workplace and happens in industries such as nonferrous smelting, arsenic pro duction, wood preservation, glass manu facturing, production and application of arsenic-based pesticides, and electronics. Non-occupational exposure to arsenic is mainly through food, except in areas with high levels of arsenic in the drinking water—eg, Taiwan, Bangladesh, West Bengal (India), northern Chile, and Cordoba Province (Argentina). Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to arsenic through inhalation or drinking-water causes cancer of the lung, skin, and urinary bladder. Evidence suggests an association between exposure to arsenic in drinking water and the development of tumours at several other sites; however, various factors prevent a conclusion. Analytical studies have provided only limited information to support an association with kidney cancer, causes of liver cancer can be diffi cult to elucidate in groups that are high-risk for hepatitis B, and data on prostate cancer and arsenic exposure are not consistent between countries. Overall, the Working Group classifi ed arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1). The organic arsenicals monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) are the active ingredients of some herbicides and are metabolites of inorganic arsenic. On the basis of suffi cient evidence of cancer caused by DMA in experimental animals, and because MMA is extensively metabolised to DMA, both compounds are classifi ed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B). Arsenobetaine and other organic arsenic compounds that are not metabolised in humans are “not classifi able” (Group 3). The Working Group reaffi rmed the classifi cation of beryllium and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, chromium (VI) compounds, and nickel compounds as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1). Studies involved complex occupational exposures to a metal and its compounds, making it impossible to separately assess their carcinogenicity. Globally, an estimated 125 million people are still exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Although asbestos has been banned or restricted in most of the industrialised world, its use is increasing in parts of Asia, South America, and the former Soviet Union. Naturally occurring sources of asbestos, its use in brake linings, and deterioration of asbestos-containing products all contribute to environmental exposure worldwide. Exposure may also come from fi bres carried home on the clothing of asbestos workers. Upcoming meetings June 2–9, 2009 Radiation

Overweight as an avoidable cause of cancer in Europe

Abstract: There is growing evidence that excess body weight increases the risk of cancer at several sites, including kidney, endometrium, colon, prostate, gallbladder and breast in post-menopausal women. The proportion of all cancers attributable to overweight has, however, never been systematically estimated. We reviewed the epidemiological literature and quantitatively summarised, by meta-analysis, the relationship between excess weight and the risk of developing cancer at the 6 sites listed above. Estimates were then combined with sex-specific estimates of the prevalence of overweight [body mass index (BMI) 25-29 kg/m(2)] and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) in each country in the European Union to obtain the proportion of cancers attributable to excess weight. Overall, excess body mass accounts for 5% of all cancers in the European Union, 3% in men and 6% in women, corresponding to 27,000 male and 45,000 female cancer cases yearly. The attributable proportion varied, in men, between 2.1% for Greece and 4.9% for Germany and, in women, between 3.9% for Denmark and 8.8% for Spain. The highest attributable proportions were obtained for cancers of the endometrium (39%), kidney (25% in both sexes) and gallbladder (25% in men and 24% in women). The largest number of attributable cases was for colon cancer (21,500 annual cases), followed by endometrium (14,000 cases) and breast (12,800 cases). Some 36,000 cases could be avoided by halving the prevalence of overweight and obese people in Europe.

Tobacco smoking and cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract: We conducted a systematic meta-analysis of observational studies on cigarette smoking and cancer from 1961 to 2003. The aim was to quantify the risk for 13 cancer sites, recognized to be related to tobacco smoking by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and to analyze the risk variation for each site in a systematic manner. We extracted data from 254 reports published between 1961 and 2003 (177 case-control studies, 75 cohorts and 2 nested case-control studies) included in the 2004 IARC Monograph on Tobacco Smoke and Involuntary Smoking. The analyses were carried out on 216 studies with reported estimates for 'current' and/or 'former' smokers. We performed sensitivity analysis, and looked for publication and other types of bias. Lung (RR = 8.96; 95% CI: 6.73-12.11), laryngeal (RR = 6.98; 95% CI: 3.14-15.52) and pharyngeal (RR = 6.76; 95% CI: 2.86-15.98) cancers presented the highest relative risks (RRs) for current smokers, followed by upper digestive tract (RR = 3.57; 95% CI: 2.63-4.84) and oral (RR = 3.43; 95% CI: 2.37-4.94) cancers. As expected, pooled RRs for respiratory cancers were greater than the pooled estimates for other sites. The analysis of heterogeneity showed that study type, gender and adjustment for confounding factors significantly influence the RRs estimates and the reliability of the studies.