Established prostate cancer (PCa) risk factors include age, family history of PCa, and African ancestry. Studies, mostly among highly-screened, predominantly European ancestral populations, suggest that employment in certain occupations (e.g., farming, military) may also have an increased risk for PCa. Here, we evaluated the association between usual adult occupation and PCa risk in Ghanaian men, a population with historically low rates of PCa screening.
The Ghana Prostate Study is a case-control study of prostate cancer that was conducted from 2004–2012 in 749 cases and 964 controls. In-person interviews were conducted to collect information from participants, including longest held job. Industrial hygienists classified job titles into occupational categories. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between longest held job and PCa risk (overall, aggressive (Gleason ≥7)), controlling for potential confounders.
Risk was increased among men in management (overall PCa OR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.2; aggressive PCa OR=2.2, 95%CI: 1.3, 3.5) and military occupations (overall PCa OR=3.4, 95%CI: 1.7, 7.0; aggressive PCa OR=3.5, 95%CI: 1.5, 8.3). Risks were also elevated for management and military specific jobs based on 3-digit level SOC definitions. Sensitivity analyses accounting for access to medical care did not show significant differences.