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Is fluoride a risk factor for bone cancer? Small area analysis of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma diagnosed among 0-49-year-olds in Great Britain, 1980-2005

Lookup NU author(s): Karen Blakey, Richard Feltbower, Dr Peter James, Dr Basilio Gomez-Pozo, Dr Richard McNallyORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Background: Artificial fluoridation of drinking water to improve dental health has long been a topic of controversy. Opponents of this public health measure have cited the possibility of bone cancer induction. The study objective was to examine whether increased risk of primary bone cancer was associated with living in areas with higher concentrations of fluoride in drinking water. Methods: Case data on osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, diagnosed at ages 0–49 years in Great Britain (GB) (defined here as England, Scotland and Wales) during the period 1980–2005, were obtained from population-based cancer registries. Data on fluoride levels in drinking water in England and Wales were accessed through regional water companies and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Scottish Water provided data for Scotland. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the relationship between incidence rates and level of fluoride in drinking water at small area level. Results: The study analysed 2566 osteosarcoma and 1650 Ewing sarcoma cases. There was no evidence of an association between osteosarcoma risk and fluoride in drinking water [relative risk (RR) per one part per million increase in the level of fluoride = 1·001; 90% confidence interval (CI) 0·871, 1·151] and similarly there was no association for Ewing sarcoma (RR = 0·929; 90% CI 0·773, 1·115). Conclusions: The findings from this study provide no evidence that higher levels of fluoride (whether natural or artificial) in drinking water in GB lead to greater risk of either osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Blakey K, Feltbower RG, Parslow RC, James PW, Gomez-Pozo B, Stiller C, Vincent TJ, Norman P, McKinney PA, Murphy MF, Craft AW, McNally RJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology

Year: 2014

Volume: 43

Issue: 1

Pages: 224-234

Print publication date: 01/02/2014

Online publication date: 14/01/2014

Acceptance date: 07/11/2013

Date deposited: 20/05/2015

ISSN (print): 0300-5771

ISSN (electronic): 1464-3685

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyt259

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyt259

PubMed id: 24425828


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Children with Cancer UK
North of England Children's Cancer Research (NECCR) Fund
BCRT/08/08Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT)

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