Date of Award

1997

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biometry and Epidemiology

College

College of Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Susan E. Sutherland

Second Advisor

David G. Hoel

Third Advisor

John B. Dunbar

Fourth Advisor

Rebecca G. Knapp

Fifth Advisor

Daniel W. Nixon

Sixth Advisor

JoEllen M. McMillan

Abstract

Existing research suggests that a variety of environmental factors play an important role in cancer mortality. The association between some of these factors and cancer mortality was examined using data from the Charleston Heart Study, a thirty-five year prospective cohort. Baseline measurements for tobacco use, place of residence, occupation, education, water supply and physical activity were made in 1960/63 on 2,283 participants. The vital status of the cohort was ascertained through 1994, and the underlying cause of death as determined by the nosologist was used to define cancer mortality. There were 294 cancer deaths identified over the 35-year period. Statistical analyses showed cigarette smoking and occupational history to be significant predictors for cancer mortality. In 1974/75 self reported information on pesticide and DDT use were collected and serum DDE levels were measured on 898 participants from the original cohort. There were 108 cancer deaths identified in the 20-year period between 1974 and 1994. There was no difference in cancer mortality rates between those who reported pesticide use and those who did not. The mean serum level of DDE for those dying of cancer was significantly less than the level observed in the remaining cohort (33.5 ppb vs. 37.2 ppb, p < 0.05). Analyses using proportional hazards regression models suggested no increase in the risk of cancer mortality associated with higher levels of DDE. The incidence of breast and prostate cancer was also evaluated using a nested case-control design. There were 21 new breast cancers and 28 new prostate cancers identified in the 20-year period. The mean serum level of DDE for those with breast or prostate cancer was significantly less than the level of their matched controls (26.7 vs 35.1; 33.8 vs 41.4 ppb, p

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