Farmers Affected by Hematological Neoplasms and Exposed to Pesticides: A study in southern Brazil

Abstract

The study analyzed the relationship between the variables of the sociodemographic, clinical and occupational profile of farmers exposed to pesticides undergoing treatment at a reference unit in oncology in southern Brazil with the presence of hematological neoplasms. 72 farmers participated, mostly female, elderly, low education level and rural residents. Leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and multiple myeloma prevailed. There was statistical significance between the variables tobacco cultivation and health region with the existence of the disease and when comparing the initial age in agriculture and the daily working hours with the use of different types of pesticides, pointing to a possible relationship between these variables with the presence of hematological neoplasms. Changes in lifestyle and work become important for promoting the health of the rural population.