Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy
The study goal was to investigate malignant tumors incidence in 5 Ukrainian cities with nuclear hazardous enterprises: extractive, processing enterprises of uranium ore (Zhovti Wody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of Dnipropetrovsk region) and nuclear power stations (Energodar of Zaporizhska region, Pivdennouk...
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Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України
2012
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| Цитувати: | Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy / D.A. Bazyka, A.Ye. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, Z.P. Fedorenko, N.A. Gudzenko, M.M. Fuzik, O.M. Khukhrianska, N.K. Trotsyuk, L.O. Gulak, Ye.L. Goroch, Ye.V. Sumkina // Experimental Oncology. — 2012. — Т. 34, № 2. — С. 116-120. — Бібліогр.: 21 назв. — англ. |
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irk-123456789-1390732018-06-20T03:09:19Z Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy Bazyka, D.A. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, A.Ye. Fedorenko, Z.P. Gudzenko, N.A. Fuzik, M.M. Khukhrianska, O.M. Trotsyuk, N.K. Gulak, L.O. Goroch, Ye.L. Sumkina, Ye.V. Original contributions The study goal was to investigate malignant tumors incidence in 5 Ukrainian cities with nuclear hazardous enterprises: extractive, processing enterprises of uranium ore (Zhovti Wody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of Dnipropetrovsk region) and nuclear power stations (Energodar of Zaporizhska region, Pivdennoukrainsk of Mykolayivska region, Netishyn of Khmelnytska region). Materials and methods: average annual population of the cities under study in 2003–2008 was 439 600 persons. Total and specific cancer incidence was investigated. Site specific incidence was analyzed for malignancies proved to be radiosensitive in previous studies: trachea, bronchus and lung, breast, kidney, thyroid cancer and leukemia. Data on cancer cases were received in National Cancer Registry of Ukraine (National Cancer Institute). There was used the data of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the size of the studied population by gender — age groups. Standardized incidence ratio of cancer at a whole and for each of five specific forms of malignancies were calculated for the population of each city and group of cities depending on the nature of industrial activity. Results: During the observed period there were registered 9 381 cancer cases in inhabitants of Ukrainian cities with radiation hazardous facilities. There was stated that cancer incidence rate in population of 5 cities significantly exceeded national and regional levels. Among specific forms of malignancy there were observed excess of lung, trachea, bronchus, breast, kidney cancer and leukemia in population of extractive, processing uranium ore cities. No excess of thyroid cancer was identified. In cities with nuclear power station there were registered excess of kidney cancer. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest the necessity to explore the role of various factors in forming the identified cancer incidence features in the Ukrainian population living near the nuclear power facilities. 2012 Article Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy / D.A. Bazyka, A.Ye. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, Z.P. Fedorenko, N.A. Gudzenko, M.M. Fuzik, O.M. Khukhrianska, N.K. Trotsyuk, L.O. Gulak, Ye.L. Goroch, Ye.V. Sumkina // Experimental Oncology. — 2012. — Т. 34, № 2. — С. 116-120. — Бібліогр.: 21 назв. — англ. 1812-9269 http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/139073 en Experimental Oncology Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
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DSpace DC |
| language |
English |
| topic |
Original contributions Original contributions |
| spellingShingle |
Original contributions Original contributions Bazyka, D.A. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, A.Ye. Fedorenko, Z.P. Gudzenko, N.A. Fuzik, M.M. Khukhrianska, O.M. Trotsyuk, N.K. Gulak, L.O. Goroch, Ye.L. Sumkina, Ye.V. Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy Experimental Oncology |
| description |
The study goal was to investigate malignant tumors incidence in 5 Ukrainian cities with nuclear hazardous enterprises: extractive, processing enterprises of uranium ore (Zhovti Wody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of Dnipropetrovsk region) and nuclear power stations (Energodar of Zaporizhska region, Pivdennoukrainsk of Mykolayivska region, Netishyn of Khmelnytska region). Materials and methods: average annual population of the cities under study in 2003–2008 was 439 600 persons. Total and specific cancer incidence was investigated. Site specific incidence was analyzed for malignancies proved to be radiosensitive in previous studies: trachea, bronchus and lung, breast, kidney, thyroid cancer and leukemia. Data on cancer cases were received in National Cancer Registry of Ukraine (National Cancer Institute). There was used the data of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the size of the studied population by gender — age groups. Standardized incidence ratio of cancer at a whole and for each of five specific forms of malignancies were calculated for the population of each city and group of cities depending on the nature of industrial activity. Results: During the observed period there were registered 9 381 cancer cases in inhabitants of Ukrainian cities with radiation hazardous facilities. There was stated that cancer incidence rate in population of 5 cities significantly exceeded national and regional levels. Among specific forms of malignancy there were observed excess of lung, trachea, bronchus, breast, kidney cancer and leukemia in population of extractive, processing uranium ore cities. No excess of thyroid cancer was identified. In cities with nuclear power station there were registered excess of kidney cancer. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest the necessity to explore the role of various factors in forming the identified cancer incidence features in the Ukrainian population living near the nuclear power facilities. |
| format |
Article |
| author |
Bazyka, D.A. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, A.Ye. Fedorenko, Z.P. Gudzenko, N.A. Fuzik, M.M. Khukhrianska, O.M. Trotsyuk, N.K. Gulak, L.O. Goroch, Ye.L. Sumkina, Ye.V. |
| author_facet |
Bazyka, D.A. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, A.Ye. Fedorenko, Z.P. Gudzenko, N.A. Fuzik, M.M. Khukhrianska, O.M. Trotsyuk, N.K. Gulak, L.O. Goroch, Ye.L. Sumkina, Ye.V. |
| author_sort |
Bazyka, D.A. |
| title |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| title_short |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| title_full |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| title_fullStr |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| title_sort |
cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in ukraine: a community-based stydy |
| publisher |
Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України |
| publishDate |
2012 |
| topic_facet |
Original contributions |
| url |
http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/139073 |
| citation_txt |
Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based stydy / D.A. Bazyka, A.Ye. Prysyazhnyuk, A.Ye. Romanenko, Z.P. Fedorenko, N.A. Gudzenko, M.M. Fuzik, O.M. Khukhrianska, N.K. Trotsyuk, L.O. Gulak, Ye.L. Goroch, Ye.V. Sumkina // Experimental Oncology. — 2012. — Т. 34, № 2. — С. 116-120. — Бібліогр.: 21 назв. — англ. |
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Experimental Oncology |
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116 Experimental Oncology 34, 116–120, 2012 (June)
CANCER INCIDENCE AND NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN UKRAINE:
A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY
D.A. Bazyka1, A.Ye. Prysyazhnyuk1, A.Ye. Romanenko1, Z.P. Fedorenko2, N.A.Gudzenko1, M.M. Fuzik1,
O.M.Khukhrianska1,*, N.K. Trotsyuk1, L.O. Gulak2, Ye.L. Goroch2, Ye.V. Sumkina2
1National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
2National Cancer Institute, MPH of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
The study goal was to investigate malignant tumors incidence in 5 Ukrainian cities with nuclear hazardous enterprises: extractive,
processing enterprises of uranium ore (Zhovti Wody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of Dnipropetrovsk region) and nuclear power stations
(Energodar of Zaporizhska region, Pivdennoukrainsk of Mykolayivska region, Netishyn of Khmelnytska region). Materials and
methods: average annual population of the cities under study in 2003–2008 was 439 600 persons. Total and specific cancer incidence
was investigated. Site specific incidence was analyzed for malignancies proved to be radiosensitive in previous studies: trachea, bronchus
and lung, breast, kidney, thyroid cancer and leukemia. Data on cancer cases were received in National Cancer Registry of Ukraine
(National Cancer Institute). There was used the data of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the size of the studied population
by gender — age groups. Standardized incidence ratio of cancer at a whole and for each of five specific forms of malignancies were
calculated for the population of each city and group of cities depending on the nature of industrial activity. Results: During the observed
period there were registered 9 381 cancer cases in inhabitants of Ukrainian cities with radiation hazardous facilities. There was
stated that cancer incidence rate in population of 5 cities significantly exceeded national and regional levels. Among specific forms
of malignancy there were observed excess of lung, trachea, bronchus, breast, kidney cancer and leukemia in population of extractive,
processing uranium ore cities. No excess of thyroid cancer was identified. In cities with nuclear power station there were registered
excess of kidney cancer. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest the necessity to explore the role of various factors in forming the
identified cancer incidence features in the Ukrainian population living near the nuclear power facilities.
Key Words: ionizing radiation, nuclear energy facilities, malignant tumors, cancer incidence.
Extensive development of nuclear energy pro-
duction, broad use of industrial radiation sources
and recent accidents with radioactive contamination
of large adjacent territories provoke concerns on the
consequences of a long-term influence of these fac-
tors on human health. The problem is actual not only
for radiation workers, but also for the residents of sur-
rounding territories. Traditionally, an excess of leukae-
mia and/or solid cancers is regarded as a sign of radia-
tion influence on health. Such remote consequences
were demonstrated in A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima
and Nagasaki, participants of nuclear tests, patients
after medical exposure, and some exposed groups
after the Chernobyl accident [1–4].
In response to the leukaemia cluster reported near
the Sellafield nuclear site in Great Britain in 1984 [5]
numerous studies have been done to assess the pos-
sible risk of childhood leukaemia due to irradiation.
While many studies found positive associations, only
few results were significant. Although an increased risk
of developing leukaemia by irradiation is not doubted,
there is disagreement about whether the amount of ex-
posure received by children living near nuclear sites
is sufficient to increase the risk. Baker and Hoel [6] sta-
tistically analyzed numerous studies of childhood leu-
kaemia near nuclear facilities. Reports of 136 nuclear
sites in nine countries (Europe and North America) met
their criteria for meta-analysis. The main conclusion
of the study was that dose-response studies do not
support the leukaemia excess found near nuclear fa-
cilities. However, it cannot be ignored that the majority
of studies have found elevated rates, although usually
not statistically significant.
However results of studies of radiation risks
in nuclear industry employee are less known. Con-
trary to effects in populations exposed at nuclear
sites like Semipalatinsk, data on long-term health
effects in uranium enrichment facilities and adjacent
territories are sparse. For instance, a study of cancer
incidence in workers employed at the Physical and
Power Institute (in Obninsk, Russia) shows a statisti-
cally significant excess of several forms of cancer
compared with incidence rates in the total population
of this country. A higher cancer incidence was also
demonstrated in residents of Obninsk [7]. Frequency
and latency period of stochastic effects were studied
in employees of nuclear power enterprises, who had
long-term contact with combinations of natural and
enriched uranium. The results of those studies show
a 3.6 to 4.0 fold higher incidence of gastrointestinal
cancer in comparison to a control group [8]. In a co-
hort of uranium miners of the Wismut Company, lo-
cated in Eastern Germany [9] a statistically significant
excess mortality of several cancer types is suggested,
which is associated with occupational radon exposure.
The highest excess is registered for lung cancer; less
effects are found for larynx, tongue and liver cancers.
In a combined analysis of three European case-control
studies in cohorts of uranium miners the excess of lung
cancer is also confirmed [10]. The carcinogenic effect
of radon exposure is still stable even after elimination
of the smoking factor. Health data are available also
Received: April 20, 2012.
*Correspondence: E-mail: elena.kh@inbox.ru
Exp Oncol 2012
34, 2, 116–120
Experimental Oncology 34, 116–120, 2012 (June) 117
for the population of the town of Ozersk at South Urals
where the first facility of the USSR military atomic
industry was located, with substantial radiation expo-
sure during the first years since 1946. An increased
cancer mortality was demonstrated in the population
together with a lower mortality of non-cancer di seases
[11]. A study of the prevalence and incidence of hae-
moblastosis and also leukaemia in male radiation
workers of the Siberian Chemical Combine showed
substantially higher rates in comparison with controls
from Tomsk city [12]. Thus, several findings indicate
a higher risk of cancer in populations living in areas
adjacent to hazardous radiation enterprises.
In Ukraine, there are two types of nuclear industry
enterprises with professional radiation hazards [13].
The first type includes uranium mining and processing
facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk region: in Zhovti Vody
(State Enterprise (SE) — East Ore Mining and Process-
ing Enterprise), SE “East OMPE” (with 2 working mines
since 1956), and in Dniprodzerzhynsk the Production
Association “Pridniprovsky chemical plant” (PA “PCP”)
which processed blast furnace slag, uranium concen-
trates, and uranium ore in the period from 1949 to 1991.
The SE “East OMPE” is the largest enterprise in Eu-
rope of such type. The two operating uranium mines,
which belong to this mill, are similar to 60 coal mines
of energy equivalent. In the territory of PA “PCP” and
outside seven tailing storages* are established as well
as two uranium waste storages and a workshop for
producing nitrous uranium oxide with nitric solutions
[14]. These all are placed in the clay pits and ravines,
which were not specially prepared for such items.
Thus there are 9 tailing storages of precipitation waste
from uranium processing, open to the atmosphere,
with a total activity of 2.7 × 1015 Bq (average specific
activity 6.4 kBq/kg). The total area of these stores,
which accumulated to 42 million tons of uranium
waste, is 270 hectares. The exposure dose in this area
lies within 30 to 35 000 mkR/h (this is not the current
accepted unity, must be mSv/h). F Each year 2.13 ×
1013 Bq of radon and 23.9 tons of radioactive dust with
an average specific activity of 3.7 kBq/kg are delivered
from the tailing storages into the atmosphere, by the
storage facilities of uranium waste 2.3 × 1013 Bq of ra-
don and 8.9 tons of radioactive dust with an average
activity of 2.9 mBq/kg. Tailing storages are a source
of groundwater pollution at a distance of 370–860 me-
ters from their path. The annual removal of natural
radionuclides from the ground (the Konoplyanka River
flows nearby) and groundwater in the Dnipro River
is given in Table 1 [14].
Due to the mentioned tailing storages of uranium
waste the additional effective dose of persons who be-
long to category B (population) is within 0.45–2.7 mSv/
year. Uranium ores usually contain not only long-lived
elements and 238U fission products, but also toxic
chemical elements: arsenic, lead, vanadium, selenium
and others [14]. The mentioned data may indicate the
*Tailing storage – hydrotechnical construction to store waste from
uranium processing.
considerable scope of the impact of the production
activities on the health of the population living near the
mentioned companies, although they are not always
involved in this production
Table 1. The annual removal of natural radionuclides (Bq) in the Dnipro
River from tailingstorages PA “PCP” with a total area of 2.7 km2 [14]
Radioactive element With ground waters With the underground waters
Uranium-238 5,5×1010 1,6×108
Radium-226 1,9×1010 2,5×107
Lead-210 4,4×1010 1,5×106
Polonium-210 8,8×109 1.0×107
Thorium -230 5,5×109 2,5×107
The second type of potentially hazardous enter-
prises is represented by the nuclear power plants: Piv-
dennoukrainsk of the Mykolayiv region, Zaporizhzhya
(town Energodar), Khmelnytska (town Netishyn) with
11 reactors of the VVER-1000 type and with a total
capacity of 11 000 MWt. The Zaporizhzhya NPP is the
largest in Europe.
The general characteristics of the listed nuclear
power plants are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Main information about nuclear power plants of Ukraine*
Name of NPP and their location
Start-
up of the
first unit
Total
number
of units
Total
power ca-
pacity
(MWt)
Pivdennoukrainsk NPP of Mykolay-
iv region
1982 3 3 000
Zaporizhzhya NPP, Energodar 1984 6 6 000
Khmelnytska NPP, Netishyn town 1987 2 2 000
*The data of the Rivnenska NPP are not analyzed in this work
The nature and duration of the impact of the listed
types of nuclear facilities on the environment and,
consequently, human health are different. However,
common to them is the possibility to produce radiation
exposure. Therefore, in order to study the possible
stochastic effects, it is expedient to investigate the
cancer incidence in the inhabitants of all cities asso-
ciated with nuclear power, and separately for groups
with regard to the nature of production.
The main aim of study is to examine the cancer
incidence in the communities lying near the nuclear
facilities: mining, uranium processing plants (residents
of the towns Zhovti Vody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of the
Dnipropetrovsk region), nuclear power plants (Pivden-
nooukrainsk of the Mykolaiv region, Energodar of the
Zaporizhzhya region, Netishyn of the Khmelnytsky
region). According to the State Statistics Committee
of Ukraine the total population of these cities amounted
to 436 000 in 2008.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To study the incidence of malignant tumours in the
population of the listed cities, the data on primary can-
cer cases of the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine
conducted by the National Cancer Institute were used.
It collects and stores individual information about the
cancer patients of the whole country. The data were
analyzed for the period 2003–2008. 9.381 incident
cancer cases were identified in the mentioned cit-
ies. The average population in 2003–2008 according
to the State statistics committee of Ukraine amounted
to 439 632 persons. The total number of inhabitants
118 Experimental Oncology 34, 116–120, 2012 (June)
of the cities of Nuclear Energy and the reported cancer
cases are presented in Table 3.
Таble 3. Numbers of inhabitants of Ukrainian cities surrounding with nuclear
cycle facilities and number of cancer patients registered in 2003–2008
City Average annual number
of inhabitants 2003–2008
Number of registered can-
cer cases 2003–2008
Dniprodzerzhynsk 255 370 6 003
Zhovti Vody 54 417 1 350
Energodar 54 720 1 044
Pivdennoukrainsk 40 160 614
Netishyn 34 965 370
Total amount 439 632 9 381
From these data, the standardized incidence ratios
were calculated for the population of the cities with
nuclear industry as a whole, and separately, depending
on the type of enterprises. Due to the fact that in the
current pilot study the total number of observed cancer
cases (O) was not differentiated by sex and age, it was
decided to use the indirect method of standardizing,
which is more accurate in the analysis of indicators for
relatively small populations. The annual distribution
by sex and age in the population for each studied ter-
ritory was obtained from the State statistics committee
of Ukraine data and gave the possibility to calculate the
expected number of cancer cases (E). Age-specific in-
cidences of the Ukrainian population in 2006 were used
as a standard. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR %)
as a ratio of observed (O) to expected (E) cancer cases
were calculated. A comparison of the calculated rates
was performed for the study regions: Dnipropetrovsk,
Zaporizhzhya, Mykolayiv, and Khmelnytsky (regional
incidence rates), excluding the cities listed in Table 2.
RESULTS
The cancer incidence rates in the period 2003–
2008 in the population of the 4 regions and in the
residents of five cities in Ukraine, where nuclear cycle
facilities are located (uranium mining and processing en-
terprises, nuclear power plants) are presented in Table 4.
The incidence rate of all cancers in the population
of the 4 Ukrainian regions are slightly higher compared
to the national level: 103.4% (102.9–103.9). The can-
cer incidence rate in the 5 cities with nuclear cycle fa-
cilities was substantially higher: 113,0% (110.7–115.3).
For specific cancer sites the incidence of cancer
of the trachea, bronchus, lung (C33, C34), breast
(C50), kidney (C64, 65), and leukaemia (C91–C95)
in cities with nuclear enterprises significantly exceeds
the regional average rates for the 4 regions without.
It should be also pointed out that the incidence
of cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung in the
4 regions was 112.7% (111.1–114.2) and in the 5 cities
with nuclear power facilities 122.9% (115.8–130.1) and
therefore both are significantly higher than the national
level. This allows to assume that the incidence of the
mentioned cancers are influenced by other factors,
which may be independent from each other and not
necessarily related to nuclear power.
Another situation is observed for kidney cancer.
In the four regions the incidence of this cancer site
was significantly lower compared to national rates:
SIR 95.6 % (92.8–98.4), but in the 5 “nuclear” cities
it is much higher: 132.9% (118.8–146.9). Thus, on the
basis of the data it can be assumed that the charac-
teristics of industrial activity in these cities may affect
the frequency of this cancer. As to thyroid cancer inci-
dence, the figures do not show a significant difference
from the national level.
Taking into account that the types of nuclear facili-
ties in Ukraine and the duration of their activity is con-
siderably different, it is appropriate to study some
health indicators regarding the peculiarities of the pro-
duction process. Therefore, the cancer incidence rates
are calculated separately for the cities with uranium
mining and processing facilities (Dniprodzerzhynsk
and Zhovti Vody) and cities, where nuclear power
plants (NPPs) are situated: Pivdennoukrainsk, Ener-
godar, Netishyn. These data are presented in Table 5.
The incidence rate of all forms of malignan-
cies in both city groups (respectively 111.9%,
CI 109.4–114.5 and 117.0%, CI 111.9–122.0) sig-
nificantly exceeds the rates for Ukraine in total, and
in the 4 regions, which include the cities under study.
Table 4. Cancer incidence in the population of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Mykolayiv, Khmelnytsky regions and 5 cities with nuclear facilities in 2003–
2008 (standardized incidence ratio SIR inn % with 95% confidence interval — CI)
Cancer code ICD-10
Four regions without cities with nuclear facilities Communities near nuclear cycle facilities
Observed
No of cases (О)
Expected
No of cases (Е)
SIR % (O/
E×100) 95% CІ Observed
No of cases (О)
Expected
No of cases (Е)
SIR % (O/
E×100) 95% CІ
All cancers (С00–С97) 160 624 155 361.2 103.4 102.9–103.9 9 381 8 302.8 113.0 110.7–115.3
Trachea, bronchus, lung (С33, С34) 20 340 18 055.9 112.7 111.1–114.2 1 141 928.1 122.9 115.8–130.1
Breast (С50) 15 855 15 302.5 103.6 102.0–105.2 1 000 874.5 114.4 107.3–121.4
Kidney (С64, С65) 4 482 4 687.0 95.6 92.8–98.4 342 257.4 132.9 118.8–146.9
Thyroid (С73) 2 401 2 481.8 96.7 92.9–100.6 156 146.9 106.2 89.5–122.9
Leukemia (С91–С95) 3 645 3 526.9 103.3 100.0–106.7 267 190.4 140.2 123.4–157.1
Table 5. The cancer incidence rate in the communities of Dniprodzerzhynsk, Zhovti Vody, Pivdennoukrainsk, Energodar, and Netishyn 2003–2008 (stan-
dardized incidence ratio SIR %)
Cancer code ICD-10
Communities near uranium mining, processing and radioactive
waste storage facilities (Dniprodzerzhynsk, Zhovti Vody)
Communities near NPPs (Pivdennoukrainsk, Energodar,
Netishyn)
Observed
No of cases (О)
Expected
No of cases (Е)
SIR % (O/
E×100) 95% CІ Observed
No of cases (О)
Expected
No of cases (Е)
SIR % (O/
E×100) 95% CІ
All cancers (С00–С97) 7 353 6 568.8 111.9 109.4–114.5 2 028 1 734.0 117.0 111.9–122.0
Trachea, bronchus, lung (С33, С34) 931 741.1 125.6 117.6–133.7 210 187.0 112.3 97.1–127.5
Breast (С50) 770 671.8 114.6 106.5–122.7 230 202.7 113.5 98.8–128.1
Kidney (С64, С65) 246 198.9 123.7 108.2–139.1 96 58.7 163.5 130.8–196.2
Thyroid (С73) 107 107 100 81.1–118.9 49 39.8 123.1 88.6–157.6
Leukemia (С91–С95) 214 147.6 145.0 125.6–164.4 53 42.8 123.8 90.5–157.2
Experimental Oncology 34, 116–120, 2012 (June) 119
However, there is no significant difference of the rates
between the two city groups. The common feature
of these regions was also a significant excess of the
national and regional levels for kidney cancer: 123.7%
(108.2–139.1) and 163.5% (130.8–196.2), respec-
tively. In addition, in the cities with uranium mining and
processing enterprises a significantly higher incidence
of trachea, bronchus, lung (125.6%, CI 117.6–133.7),
and breast (114.6%, CI 106.5–122.7) cancer and leu-
kaemia (145.0%, CI 125.6–164.4) was found. In the
cities where the NPP are located, the three? five listed
forms of malignancies did not differ significantly from
national and regional rates. Note the considerable
scope of the confidence interval, due to a relatively
small number of observed cancer cases. This stimu-
lates to increase the research capacity by means
of an increase of the observation period. As to the
thyroid cancer incidence, a significant difference be-
tween these groups of cities, and also in comparison
with national and regional levels was not seen.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Performing of this descriptive study was possible
thanks to the establishment and work of the National
Cancer Registry conducted by the National Cancer
Institute. Its database contains personified informa-
tion on the cancer cases among Ukraine’s population,
including the residents of cities with nuclear energy
facilities. The obtained data about the cancer cases
according to cancer site, year of diagnosis and the
data of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine
on gender and age structure of the population allowed
calculatingof the standardized incidence ratio (SIR %)
for the population of each city, or for groups of cities
depending on the nature of industrial activity. There-
fore, for the first time in Ukraine the cancer incidence
could be studied in residents of cities with radiation-
dangerous production. It was found that the incidence
of all cancer types among the inhabitants of these cities
was significantly higher than both national and regional
rates. Considering specific types, an excess of cancers
of the trachea, bronchus, lung, breast, kidney, and
of leukaemia was registered, mainly in the cities with
extraction and processing of uranium ore (Zhovti Vody
and Dniprodzerzhynsk). In the cities where the NPP
are located (Pivdennoukrainsk, Energodar, Netishyn),
only an excess of the incidence of kidney cancer was
observed (1.6 times). The frequency of thyroid malig-
nant tumors in these cities did not differ significantly
from the national and regional levels.
It should be stressed that the results are the first
experience in studies of malignant tumours in the
population of cities with nuclear enterprises. Accor-
ding to existing legislation, the employees of these
enterprises have to be subjected to more scrupulous
medical surveillance in order to detect early forms
of pathology, which may occur due to their professional
activities. Therefore, the question naturally arises
whether it is a higher cancer incidence resulting from
programs for detection of early forms of pathology, i.e.
a screening effect. Only a prolongation of the study
may answer to this question.
It is further extremely important to compare the
findings with the known results of epidemiological
studies of this topic, especially among the victims
of the atomic bombing in Japan. The data on the
incidence of solid cancers in the Atomic Bomb Survi-
vors 13–53 years after this tragic event are presented
in the publications of Preston, et al. [15, 16]. They
analyzed 17 448 registered cancer cases in a cohort
of 105 427 persons for whom individual doses have
been estimated. A statistically significant radiation-
associated increase of risk was observed for the
majority of types, including cancer of the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, lung, skin (excluding
melanoma), breast, ovary, bladder, nervous system,
and thyroid. The risks of pancreas, prostate, and
kidney cancers are not significantly elevated; howe-
ver, they coincide with the tendencies inherent to all
types of solid cancer. It should be noted that these
publications summarize the consequences of a short
intensive exposure due to the explosion of a nuclear
weapon. On the other hand, Vozianov and Romanenko
[17] documented an increased risk of carcinogenesis
in the kidney in contaminated areas after the Chernobyl
accident due to chronic exposure to low doses of ion-
izing radiation. Thus, the increased frequency of kid-
ney cancer found among residents of the cities with
nuclear enterprises is consistent with the results of the
mentioned research. The highest figures shown in the
communities near the nuclear cycle facilities of the
former USSR could be explained by the poor radiation
safety standards during the first period of competition
for nuclear arms. Similar data were obtained in the
Techa River cohort that consists of people who lived
by the Techa River in Southern Urals and were exposed
to radioactive materials and waste between 1948 and
1956 from the Mayak nuclear facility nearby. A follow-
up of health effects in more than 30 000 residents
indicate a dose-dependent increase in leukaemia
and some solid tumours [18]. A large-scale ecologic
study of cancer mortality around nuclear installations
in the USA did not show any evidence that the mortal-
ity for cancer was higher in communities with nuclear
facilities [19, 20]. In the Ukrainian cities with uranium
mining and processing enterprises with a large area
of tailing wastes which are not protected from rainfall,
there is a chronic radiation impact on people living near
or in contact with them due to occupational activity.
An ingestion of radioactive isotopes, as specified in Ta-
ble 1, into the human body is possible with water, fish,
and food produced near the tailing storage. In addition
to the radiation factor a negative impact on health
cannot be excluded by intermediate processing
products of natural uranium and other chemicals used
to process ore. In cities with NPP the effects of ionizing
radiation on the human body should be limited and
very strictly regulated because the risks of stochastic
aftereffects must be minimized. The excess of kidney
cancer needs attention and search for the possible
120 Experimental Oncology 34, 116–120, 2012 (June)
causes of this phenomenon. Attention should be drawn
to the completeness and quality of cancer registration
in the territories under study throughout the observa-
tion period with regard to the above mentioned screen-
ing effect. It should also be noted that in Ukraine the
level of morphological (i.e. cytological or histological)
verification for kidney cancer (67.9%) was significantly
lower than these figures were for other types of cancer
(81.4%) [21]. Therefore, it would be logical to assume
that a certain number of diagnoses of cancer is not suf-
ficiently substantiated. In addition, the extreme scope
of the confidence intervals suggests that monitoring
of this pathology should be continued to ensure suf-
ficient study power. In this article, the analysis of the
incidence is presented only for 5 cancer types not
specified by gender and age.
However, there is an urgent need to study the
incidence by taking into account gender and age,
and other types of cancer, which may be of radiation
origin. It is extremely important to study the cancer
incidence in specific groups of employees considering
the nature of production activities, especially in nuclear
power plants. These arguments underline the need
for further improvement of the research program,
studying the possible impact of the screening effect
on the registered incidence is a further aim, and the
development from the descriptive, ecological methods
to the analytical ones. Assessment of cancer risks
of radiation-hazardous productions should be directed
to study not only the cancer incidence, but also the fac-
torial peculiarities — the nature and size of dose, and
other health factors for the employees of these enter-
prises and the residents of these cities. Perspectives
to be considered for such analytical epidemiological
research are “case-control” and cohort studies.
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