Carpenters, cabinetmakers, and risk of testicular germ cell cancer

J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Mar;47(3):299-305. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000155716.63919.0a.

Abstract

Objective: A recent cohort study showed an increased risk of testicular cancer among members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. We explored our data of a German population-based case-control study on the etiology of testicular cancer with regard to this association.

Methods: The case-control study included 269 testicular cancer cases and 797 controls. We applied conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: People who worked as cabinetmakers or carpenters had an OR of 0.84 (95% CI = 0.45-1.56). Risks were increased among cabinetmakers who worked at least 15 years ago (OR = 5.81, 95% CI = 1.20-28.09). Ever being employed as a carpenter was associated with a reduced OR of 0.59 (95% CI = 0.24-1.46).

Conclusions: Cabinetmakers may be at an increased risk of testicular cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Facility Design and Construction*
  • Humans
  • Job Description*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / etiology*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Testicular Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Wood