Association of agricultural pesticides and gastric cancer risk

Introduction & Aim: There is growing evidence on the association between long-term exposure to pesticides and an elevated rate of chronic diseases, including different types of cancer. Previous studies have indicated that farm workers may be at increased risk of gastric cancer. Meta-analyses, ecological, case-control and cohort studies suggest that some aspects of the agricultural environment may be implicated in such an elevated risk. The objective of this study was to investigate the putative associations of environmental pesticide exposures in the general population with gastric cancer. Methods: This review was gathered from original and review studies published in Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed and ScienceDirect using the key words: gastric cancer and organophosphate pesticides and between years 2000 and 2018. Results: Most studies on gastric cancer showed positive associations with pesticide exposure and Some showed dose-response relationships. Exposure to pesticides was shown to be one of the most important causes of gastric cancer. Conclusions: Farmers may experience exposure to several hazardous substances, and cancer risk in this occupational group is considered an important issue. In Iran pesticides are among the common causes of acute poisoning and deaths from poisoning and, the mortality rate associated with poisoning by pesticides compounds is relatively high. Our findings support attempts to reduce exposure to pesticides. Reductions are likely best achieved through decreasing pesticide use for e.g. cosmetic (non-commercial) purposes.

Keywords:

gastric cancer , pesticides