Aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of skin cancer by anatomical site in 25000 male offshore petroleum workers

Background: We prospectively examined skin cancer risk according to occupational exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons with adjustment for ultraviolet radiation exposure, in a cohort of 24917 male offshore petroleum workers. Methods: Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated with Cox regression adapted to a stratified case-cohort design. Results: During 13.5 years of follow-up, 112 cutaneous melanomas (CMs) and 70 non-melanoma skin cancers were identified. Increased risks of CM and of squamous cell carcinoma on the forearm and hand were seen among those ever exposed to crude oil or benzene. For skin cancers of the forearm and hand combined, cumulative and duration metrics of benzene exposure showed P-trends of 0.031 and 0.003, respectively. Conclusions: Our results support an association between exposure to crude oil or benzene and skin cancer risk on hands and forearms among offshore petroleum workers. Dermal uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or benzene may explain this association.