Pesticides Can Cause Prostate Cancer

According to a study, farmers have an unusually high risk of prostate cancer, largely due to their use of certain pesticides. The results confirm previous studies that have found associations between pesticide use and risk of prostate cancer among farmers. Researchers analyzed 55,332 farmers and nursery workers who worked with pesticides in Iowa and North Carolina. Among the participants, 566 new cases of prostate cancer developed between 1993 and 1999, compared to 495 that would normally be expected. Compared to the rest of us, farmers have 14% more greater risk of developing prostate cancer.

Six pesticides, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, fonofos, phorate, permethrin and butylate, raised the prostate cancer risk in men with a history of the disease, while one pesticide, methyl bromide, raised the risk in all of the men.

The use of pesticides should be lessened or stopped to avoid further exposure. Proper equipment should also be used.