Logo image
Back
Cutaneous Melanoma and Obesity in the Agricultural Health Study
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Cutaneous Melanoma and Obesity in the Agricultural Health Study

Leslie K Dennis, John B Lowe, Charles F Lynch and Michael C.R Alavanja
Annals of epidemiology, Vol.18(3), pp.214-221
2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2007.09.003
PMCID: PMC2459339
PMID: 18280921

View Online

Abstract

To describe the risk of cutaneous melanoma in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a cohort of pesticide applicators and their spouses, according to baseline characteristics related to obesity along with sun exposure and sun sensitivity. The AHS cohort was enrolled in Iowa and North Carolina during 1993–1997 and followed up through 2003 for cancer incidence. We identified 315 cases of cutaneous melanoma, which reduced to 168 incident cases among subjects reporting height, weight, sun sensitivity, and sun exposure information (on the spouse questionnaire or take-home applicator questionnaire; N = 44,086). Unconditional multiple logistic regression models were used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The results were consistent with those of prior studies of melanoma that indicate an association with measures of sun sensitivity. The highest category of body surface area (BSA; OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5–4.4) and body mass index (BMI; OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5–4.3) at age 20 were significantly associated with melanoma. There was some evidence for an association with BSA, but not BMI, at enrollment. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of melanoma, indicating strategies to control obesity may result in risk reduction for melanoma.
 Obesity Body Mass Index Farmers Sun Sensitivity Melanoma Agricultural Health Study Body Surface Area Lentigo Maligna

Details

Metrics

25 Record Views
50 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image