Global burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to occupational carcinogens in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019: results from the global burden of disease study 2019

Yan Zhang; Mi Mi; Ning Zhu; Zhijun Yuan; Yuwei Ding; Yingxin Zhao; Yier Lu; Shanshan Weng; Ying Yuan

doi:10.1080/07853890.2023.2206672

Global burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to occupational carcinogens in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019: results from the global burden of disease study 2019

Ann Med. 2023 Dec;55(1):2206672. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2206672.

Authors

Yan Zhang¹, Mi Mi¹, Ning Zhu¹, Zhijun Yuan², Yuwei Ding¹, Yingxin Zhao¹, Yier Lu¹, Shanshan Weng¹, Ying Yuan^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
³ Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Abstract

Background: Occupational-related cancers are a substantial global health issue. The largest proportion of occupational-related cancers is tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer. This study aimed to explore the geographical and temporal trends in occupational carcinogens related to TBL cancer.

Methods: Data on TBL cancer attributable to occupational carcinogens were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and corresponding average annual percentage change (AAPC) were evaluated and stratified by geographic location, socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles, age, and sex.

Results: Globally, ASRs of deaths and DALYs in TBL cancer attributable to occupational carcinogens showed a downward trend (AAPC = - 0.69%, - 1.01%) while increases were observed in the low, low-middle, and middle SDI quintiles. Although males accounted for 82.4% and 81.5% of deaths and DALYs in 2019, respectively, it showed an upward trend of ASRs in females (AAPC = 0.33%, 0.02%). Occupational exposure to asbestos, silica and diesel engine exhaust were the top three causes of age-standardized TBL cancer deaths and DALYs. Over the past three decades, the percentage of age-standardized TBL cancer deaths and DALYs attributable to occupational asbestos and silica exposure decreased by 18.24, 6.71 and 20.52%, 4.00% globally, but increased significantly in lower SDI regions, while the burden attributable to occupational diesel engine exhaust exposure increased by 32.76, 37.23% worldwide.

Conclusions: Occupational exposure remains an important risk factor for TBL cancer. The burden of TBL cancer attributable to occupational carcinogens showed obvious heterogeneity which decreased in higher SDI but increased in lower SDI regions. The burden of males was significantly higher than females, but the females showed an increasing trend. Occupational exposure to asbestos was the main causes of the burden. Therefore, effective prevention and control measures tailored to local conditions are necessary.

Keywords: Global Burden of Disease Study; disease burden; lung cancer; occupational carcinogens.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Asbestos*
Bronchi
Carcinogens / toxicity
Female
Global Burden of Disease
Global Health
Humans
Lung Neoplasms* / chemically induced
Lung Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Male
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
Risk Factors
Vehicle Emissions

Substances

Vehicle Emissions
Asbestos
Carcinogens

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang Province [2021C03125 to Ying Yuan]; and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81872481 to Ying Yuan].