Reasons for participation and nonparticipation in a colorectal cancer screening program for a cohort of high risk polypropylene workers

Article Abstract:

Workers who used polypropylene at a chemical plant were offered a company-paid colorectal cancer screening program. Exposure to polypropylene has been linked to elevated rates of colorectal polyps and cancer. The screening program included completion of a questionnaire, laboratory tests, and two procedures to examine the colon, a flexible sigmoidoscopy (short colonoscopy) and a barium enema. Of the 406 employees eligible for the program, only 50 percent completed it. Interviews were conducted with both participants and nonparticipants to determine why they decided to enter or not enter the program. One important factor that encouraged participation was the recommendation of the company that the workers do so. This was a factor in the decision of 77 percent of the participants; encouragement from their families was a factor for only 59 percent. Almost 100 percent of the participants indicated that they entered the program to assure themselves that they did not have cancer. Eighty-three percent of the nonparticipants said they felt the colonoscopy procedure was unnecessary, since they had no symptoms of the disease. Concern about this procedure was a significant reason for nonparticipation. Over 90 percent of both participants and nonparticipants agreed that colonoscopy was beneficial in detecting colorectal cancer early. It was concluded that education and communication were important in encouraging participation. Also, when a screening program is begun, workers should be notified more clearly that the early screening can detect colorectal cancer or premalignant conditions so that they can be treated more promptly and effectively. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Management, Occupational health and safety, Occupational safety and health, Occupational health services, Medical screening, Health screening

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Assessment of colorectal cancer screening outcomes among workers involved in polypropylene manufacture

Article Abstract:

Workers involved in the production of polypropylene at a single plant were previously found to have a significant increase in the rate of cancers of the colon or rectum, with seven cancers found, when compared with the expected rate of 1.3. The cancers occurred only in workers who had been involved in the production of polypropylene by an older technology that made use of the heavy diluent process and not in workers hired after newer methods of production had been implemented. Because of the likelihood that these cancers were due to the older production process, the company sponsored a screening program for all current and prior workers of the plant. The screening clinic utilized a questionnaire, a test for hidden, or occult, blood in the stool, and a proctologic examination that included both sigmoidoscopic and X-ray examinations. A sigmoidoscope is a periscope-like instrument that is inserted into the rectum and colon to enable visual inspection. These methods collectively offered a strong possibility of finding and assessing cancers and polyps of the cancer and rectum. Workers older than 45 received all aspects of the screen, while those between 40 and 45 received only the X-ray examination if other tests provided suspicion. Workers younger than 40 received only the occult blood test. Participation of workers in the program was 52.5 percent and varied with age. Workers in the 50-59 year range participated the most, and the rate then declined with increasing age. Overall, 60 of 198 workers were found to have polyps of either the rectum or colon. Over 41 percent had more than one polyp, and 11.1 percent had polyps of a kind considered to become potentially cancerous.

Demographic aspects, Colorectal diseases, Intestinal diseases, Intestinal polyps, Polyps (Pathology), Polyps

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Assessment of colorectal cancer incidence among polypropylene pilot plant employees

Article Abstract:

A recent report indicated a higher than expected incidence of colorectal cancer among workers at an Exxon plant manufacturing polypropylene. As a follow-up to this study, a survey of the incidence of colorectal cancer was conducted among workers in Exxon's pilot polypropylene plant who may have had exposure equivalent to workers in the commercial plant. The study sought to determine whether cancer incidence was similar to that existing in the commercial plant. The study found the rates of colorectal cancer in the pilot plant to be no higher than expected. The elevated rates found among workers in the commercial plant were not found among those employed in the pilot plant. The results of the study indicate that the incidence of colorectal cancer at the commercial plant could not be carried over with accuracy to the pilot plant. The different findings for the two plants may be attributable either to the possibility that workers in the pilot plant had lower exposure than those in the commercial plant, or that findings for the commercial plant workers were related to nonoccupational factors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diseases, Environmentally induced diseases, Environmental illness, Chemical workers

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