Trial Information

Incidence and Mortality of Childhood Cancer Among Children of Farmer Pesticide Applicators

Previous studies have estabished pesticide exposure as a possible risk factor for childhood
cancer. The Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of pesticide
exposure among 51,000 pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa, provides an
opportunity to study childhood cancer incidence and mortality among the children of
pesticide applicators. Name and dates of birth for 21,985 children were previously provided
by adult participants in the AHS. The current study seeks to identify cases of cancer among
these children through record linkage to state cancer and death registries. Cancer
incidence and mortality within the cohort will be compared with national data through
standardized incidence and mortality ratios. A limited case-cohort comparison of pesticide
exposures will also be performed. Approximately 44 cases of childhood cancer are expected
to be identified. No follow-up or contact with cases is anticipated. It is anticipated
that the study results will provide insight into the relationship of pesticide and other
farm exposures to the pathogenesis of childhood cancer.