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

Meaghan A. Labine, Chris Green, Giselle Mak, Lin Xue, Janet Nowatzki, Jane Griffith and Gerald Y. Minuk
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Meaghan A. Labine: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Chris Green: Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Giselle Mak: Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Lin Xue: Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Janet Nowatzki: Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Jane Griffith: Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Gerald Y. Minuk: Morberg Family Chair in Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, John Buhler Research Centre, 715 McDermot Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Background : 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. Objective : To determine whether a geographic association exists between liver cancer and surrogate markers of cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes in Canada. Methods : A negative binomial regression model was employed based on previously identified risk factors for liver cancer. Results : 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. Discussion and Conclusions : 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.

Keywords: cyanobacteria; cyanotoxins; microcystin; liver cancer; blue-green algae; eutrophication; hepatitis B; hepatitis C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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