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Malignant cancer mortality in Province of Taranto (Italy). Geographic analysis in an area of high environmental risk.
Martinelli D, Mincuzzi A, Minerba S, Tafuri S, Conversano M, Caputi G, Lopalco PL, Quarto M, Germinario C, Prato R.
Section of Hygiene, Department of Medical and Occupational Science, University of Foggia, Epidemiological Observatory of Puglia Region, Foggia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A geographic analysis of the causes of death is an important tool for assessing the effectiveness of Public Health initiatives. The aim of this study is to analyse the causes of death between 2000 and 2004, to discover any excess mortality from cancer in Province of Taranto, an area at high environmental risk. RESULTS: Even if the highest death rate for all tumours resulted in the Province of Lecce (24.9 x 10,000), in the cities of Lecce and Bari (29 x 10,000), the distribution of the SMRs in Province of Taranto showed an excess of mortality (+10%) in the ring next to industrial area. For lung cancer the highest rate was reported in city of Taranto (6 x 10,000) and the highest risk (+24%) in the ring next to industrial area. Moreover, in this area 9 (70%) of the 13 considered malignant tumours types presented an excess of mortality. CONCLUSION: The results uphold the data reported in the published literature. It is fundamental to intensify research into other risk factors (exposure at work and aberrant lifestyles). Moreover, there is an increasing need for a Regional Cancer Register.