The Geographic Distribution of Liver Cancer in Canada Does Not Associate with Cyanobacterial Toxin Exposure

The incidence of liver cancer has been increasing in Canada over the past decade, as has cyanobacterial contamination of Canadian freshwater lakes and drinking water sources. Cyanotoxins released by cyanobacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. To determine whether a geogra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2015-11, Vol.12 (12), p.15143-15153
Main Authors: Labine, Meaghan A, Green, Chris, Mak, Giselle, Xue, Lin, Nowatzki, Janet, Griffith, Jane, Minuk, Gerald Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bacteria
Bacterial Toxins - toxicity
Canada - epidemiology
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria - chemistry
Cyanobacteria Toxins
Emigrants and Immigrants - statistics & numerical data
Environmental Exposure
Eutrophication
Female
Hepatitis
Hepatitis B - epidemiology
Hepatitis B virus
Humans
Incidence
Lakes - microbiology
Liver cancer
Liver Neoplasms - epidemiology
Liver Neoplasms - microbiology
Male
Marine Toxins - toxicity
Microcystins - toxicity
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Regression Analysis
Rural Population - statistics & numerical data
Sex Factors
Toxins
Urban Population - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:The incidence of liver cancer has been increasing in Canada over the past decade, as has cyanobacterial contamination of Canadian freshwater lakes and drinking water sources. Cyanotoxins released by cyanobacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. To determine whether a geographic association exists between liver cancer and surrogate markers of cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes in Canada. A negative binomial regression model was employed based on previously identified risk factors for liver cancer. No association existed between the geographic distribution of liver cancer and surrogate markers of cyanobacterial contamination. As predicted, significant associations existed in areas with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, large immigrant populations and urban residences. The results of this study suggest that cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes does not play an important role in the increasing incidence of liver cancer in Canada.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph121214969