Guo ZL, Wang JY, Li YS, Gong LL, Gan S, Wang SS. Association between butchers and cancer mortality and incidence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore) 2017;
96:e8177. [PMID:
28953674 PMCID:
PMC5626317 DOI:
10.1097/md.0000000000008177]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In this study, we evaluated whether increased risks of mortality and cancer incidence exist among butchers worldwide. To achieve this goal, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the correlations of the risks of cancer death and incidence with male and female butchers.
METHODS
We obtained data by performing a comprehensive literature search in several databases for eligible studies published before March 2017. Multivariable-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and odds ratio (OR), as well as associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and those by subgroups, were extracted and pooled.
RESULTS
A total of 17 observational studies comprising 397,726 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The butcher occupation was not associated with all-cancer mortality risk, with pooled overall SMRs of 1.07 (95% CI 0.96-1.20). However, the pooled ORs revealed that butchers hold an elevated risk of total cancer incidence (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.33-1.73). No proof of publication bias was obtained, and the findings were consistent in the subgroup analyses.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that working as butchers did not significantly influence all-cancer mortality risk but significantly contributed to elevated all-cancer incidence risk. Nevertheless, well-designed observational studies on this topic are necessary to confirm and update our findings.
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