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D M Parkin

Publications and source records attributed to D M Parkin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

International variations in the incidence of neuroblastoma.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has coordinated a worldwide study of childhood cancer incidence, with data from over 50 countries. We present here the results for neuroblastoma. In predominantly white Caucasian populations the age-standardized rate was 7-12 per million, and 6-10% of all childhood cancers were neuroblastomas. Rates were highest in the first year of life (25-50 per million, 30% of total neuroblastoma incidence), and decreased with age to 15-20 per million (50% of the total) at age 1-4, 2-4 per million (15%) at 5-9 and 1-1.5 per million (5%) at 10-14. In the United States, black children had an incidence of 8.5 per million compared with 11.5 among Whites; Blacks tended to be older than Whites at diagnosis. The highest rate in Africa was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (8.0 per million) and the lowest in West Nile, Uganda, with no cases registered. Incidence in Israel was similar to that in many white populations, with Jews having a particularly high rate. In other parts of West Asia neuroblastoma had a low relative frequency, suggesting that incidence is low. Rates were also low throughout much of southern and eastern Asia, including India and China. Incidence in Japan was somewhat higher, though less than in Western countries, with the deficit most pronounced in the first year of life; these data relate to the period before mass screening of infants for neuroblastoma in the regions concerned. Incidence was generally higher in regions and among ethnic groups enjoying a higher standard of living, though previous studies within single countries had suggested that neuroblastoma is more common among less affluent groups. Blacks in Africa and the United States may have a weaker genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma, but some of the deficit in many developing countries is likely to be due to under-diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The natural history of lung cancer estimated from the results of a randomized trial of screening.

The results from a randomized controlled trial of screening for lung cancer in Czechoslovakia have been used to estimate parameters of the natural history, using a model to simulate the disease process and the effects of screening. The results suggest that the period before clinical presentation during which lesions can be detected by screening is very short (seven to eight months). This implies that to detect three-quarters of all lung cancers by screening, two examinations per year are necessary, and that such a program would advance diagnosis by six months if there were complete participation. The results of the trial itself suggest that the benefit, in terms of a reduction in mortality from lung cancer, is likely to be very small.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Childhood leukaemia following the Chernobyl accident: the European Childhood Leukaemia-Lymphoma Incidence Study (ECLIS).

The objective of the European Childhood Leukaemia-Lymphoma Incidence Study (ECLIS) is to investigate trends in incidence rates of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma in Europe, in relation to the exposure to radiation which resulted from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 1986. In this first report, the incidence of leukaemia in children aged 0-14 is presented from cancer registries in 20 European countries for the period 1980-1988. Risk of leukaemia in 1987-1988 (8-32 months post-accident) relative to that before 1986, is compared with estimated average dose of radiation received by the population in 30 geographic areas. The observed changes in incidence do not relate to exposure. The period of follow-up is so far rather brief, and the study is planned to continue for at least 10 years.

Accidents↗
PubMed1992

Studies of cancer in migrant populations: methods and interpretation.

The use of descriptive epidemiological data (collected without a view to investigating any specific hypothesis) to study the risk of cancer in populations which have migrated from one country to another is reviewed. Place of birth is treated as the risk factor under study in such analyses, although they vary considerably in complexity depending on the availability of information on other explanatory or confounding variables. The underlying assumption of these studies is that migrants undergo a change in their environment (although the extent of this is rarely documented), so that differences in cancer rates confirm the importance of environmental over genetic determinants of risk. Studies which document risk according to time spent in the new country or to age at migration, or differences between migrants and their offspring, add an extra dimension, interpretable in terms of the degree of lifestyle change, or lability of the cancer to changes in exposure to the relevant determinant. Past studies have frequently used rather simplistic methodology, with insufficient attention to the presence of bias, and a reluctance to use standard epidemiological techniques to control for obvious sources of confounding. Migrant studies are divided into four broad categories, depending on the number of comparison groups (two, or more), the availability of a time dimension, and information on exposures; examples of each are described.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of breast cancer in men].

Incidence data for male breast cancer from 34 selected cancer registries in different parts of the world are presented. The geographic variation in incidence is similar to that observed for female breast cancer, resulting in a strong correlation between their respective rates, although certain populations have higher rates for male breast cancer than expected from the female incidence, notably Israeli Jews and blacks in the United States. It seems that both environmental factors (acting by the intermediary of endogenous oestrogens excess) and genetic predisposition play a role in determining the epidemiological profile of male breast cancer, as they do for cancer of the female breast.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cancer in migrants to Argentina.

Mortality rates from different cancers in migrants to Argentina from 11 individual countries and 6 groups of countries were compared with those in the Argentina-born population and in their countries of origin. Almost all countries of origin had higher mortality rates from gastric cancer than Argentina, but the risk declines in migrants, and for European migrants becomes similar to that of the Argentina-born. In contrast, mortality from oesophageal cancer is significantly lower in European countries than in Argentina. For cancer of the colon and breast, most countries have lower mortality rates than the Argentina-born, the exceptions being Uruguay and Germany, and migrants demonstrate a convergence of risk towards that of Argentina-born. These results suggest that migrants to Argentina undergo changes in some environmental exposure, probably dietary, which give rise to substantial alterations in cancer risk within their lifespan.

Argentina↗
PubMed1991

The role of infection by Opisthorchis viverrini, hepatitis B virus, and aflatoxin exposure in the etiology of liver cancer in Thailand. A correlation study.

The incidence of the two principle types of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma) in five different areas of Thailand was compared with the prevalence of exposure to the main risk factors in samples of the population. Cholangiocarcinoma showed striking variations in incidence, which correlated closely with markers of exposure to the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. However, there was little geographic variation in incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma or in prevalence of the major risk factors (chronic carriage of hepatitis B virus and exposure to aflatoxin), and apparently there was little relationship between them.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1991

Liver cancer in Thailand. I. A case-control study of cholangiocarcinoma.

Potential risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma were investigated in a case-control study among inhabitants of north-east Thailand, which included 103 cases from 3 hospitals, with age- and sex-matched controls. A clear association with past or present infection with Opisthorchis viverrini, as indicated by raised serum antibodies, was found (o.r. 5.0), and at least two-thirds of cases can be attributed to this cause. The results suggest that males may be at higher risk than females. There was no association with hepatitis B infection, with aflatoxin intake as estimated from albumin adducts in serum or with any particular dietary patterns. Alcohol consumption was very low in the population, and the risk associated with regular drinking was non-significant. Regular users of betel nut-predominantly female-had a high risk (o.r. 6.4), a possible mechanism being through their increased exposure to nitrosamines.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1991

Liver cancer in Thailand. II. A case-control study of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Potential risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma were investigated in a case-control study among inhabitants of north east Thailand. Sixty-five cases from 3 hospitals, with matched controls, were included. Infection with hepatitis-B virus was the major risk factor-chronic carriers of HB surface antigen had an estimated relative risk of 15.2. Infection with hepatitis-C virus appeared to be rare. No increase in risk was found with recent aflatoxin intake, as estimated by consumption of possibly contaminated foods, or by measuring aflatoxin-albumin adducts in serum. Regular use of alcohol (2 or more glasses of spirits per week) was associated with a non-significant elevation in risk (o.r. = 3.4, 95% c.i. 0.8-14.6), but the number of regular drinkers in the population was small. The meaning of an apparent protection conferred by certain food items is uncertain, but a possible role of betel nut in the aetiology deserves further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cancer risks related to electricity production.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has previously evaluated the cancer risks associated with fossil fuel-based industrial processes such as coal gastification and coke production, substances and mixtures such as coal tars, coal tar pitch and mineral oils, and a number of substances emitted from fossil-fuelled plants such as benzo[a]pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead and formaldehyde. Based on these evaluations and other evidence from the literature, the carcinogenic risks to the general population and occupational groups from the fossil fuel cycle, the nuclear fuel cycle and renewable cycles are reviewed. Cancer risks from waste disposal, accidents and misuses, and electricity distribution are also considered. No cycle appears to be totally free from cancer risk, but the quantification of the effects of such exposures (in particular of those involving potential exposure to large amounts of carcinogens, such as coal, oil and nuclear) requires the application of methods which are subject to considerable margins of error. Uncertainties due to inadequate data and unconfirmed assumptions are discussed. Cancer risks related to the operation of renewable energy sources are negligible, although there may be some risks from construction of such installations. The elements of knowledge at our disposal do not encourage any attempt toward a quantitative comparative risk assessment. However, even in the absence of an accurate quantification of risk, qualitative indication of carcinogenic hazards should lead to preventive measures.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Cancer incidence in Western Samoa.

This report presents the first data on cancer incidence in Western Samoa, which has one of the largest Polynesian communities in the world. Incidence estimates are based on a systematic retrospective survey of cancer cases identified in the laboratory of pathology, and from hospital records, for the period January 1980 to June 1988. The overall incidence rates are low in both sexes (age-standardized incidence rates are 93.7 for males and 95.7 per 100,000 for females). Although cases may have been missed, it seems likely that incidence rates among Samoans are substantially lower than those recorded in Polynesian populations elsewhere. It is notable that cancers related to tobacco are responsible for less than 17% of all cancers in males, compared to more than 30% in other Polynesians. Stomach cancer remains the most common cancer in males. In females, breast and cervix are equally common and make up almost 40% of all cancers. Liver cancer occurs more commonly in males, and the rates are slightly lower than those of other Polynesians. The high incidence of thyroid cancer seen in some Pacific Island populations is not seen among Samoans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Cancer in migrants to Uruguay.

Mortality rates from different cancers in the principal groups of migrants to Uruguay are compared with those in their countries of origin (Argentina, Brazil, Italy and Spain) and in the Uruguay-born population. Oesophageal cancer is very common in Uruguay and European-born populations, initially at low risk, appear to acquire rather higher rates after migration. For most migrants, the mortality from cancers of the breast, colon-rectum, corpus uteri and prostate is closer to the moderately elevated rates of Uruguay than those in their countries of origin. The results suggest that migrants to Uruguay undergo changes in some important environmental exposures, probably dietary, which give rise to substantial alterations in cancer risk within their lifespan.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Cancer in Jewish migrants to Israel.

Data on the incidence of 15 cancers in the Jewish population of Israel from the period 1961-1981 have been studied with emphasis on the risk of disease in relation to birthplace, calendar time, and duration of residence in Israel. The results show wide variations in incidence by birthplace, from less than 2-fold for pancreatic cancer to a 40-fold difference for oesophageal cancer in females; the reasons for these are often little understood. The potential importance of environmental agents in aetiology for different migrant groups is discussed in relation to the size and rapidity of changes in risk related to the duration of residence in Israel.

Africa, Northern↗
PubMed1990

Cancer in Mali, 1987-1988.

Results from the population cancer registry in Bamako, Mali, for the years 1987 and 1988, are presented. The age-standardized incidence for all cancers is high compared with rates reported elsewhere in West Africa (119.6 per 10(5) in males and 88.3 per 10(5) in females), but the leading cancers in each sex are the same (liver cancer in males, cervix cancer in females). The incidence of stomach cancer is the highest recorded in Africa, while rates for lung cancer, although low, exceed those in earlier series from registries in the region.

Adolescent↗