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Effect of Discontinuing the Consumption of Artesian Well Water with High Levels of Arsenic on the Occurrence of Genitourinary Tract Cancers

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Abstract

Black foot disease (BFD) is an endemic peripheral vascular disorder confined to a limited area on the Southwest Coast of Taiwan. A preivous study showed that the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for cancer of the kidney and bladder were significantly greater in BFD-endemic areas. This study was carried out to assess the effect of 36–40 years of water replacement on the occurrence of genitourinary tract (GU) tumours among residents in BFD-endemic areas.

This study suggests that replacing artesian well water in BFD hyperendemic areas for 36 to 40 years led to a decreased SMR of GU tumours. This observation supports the previous hypothesis that artesian well water may be an important factor in the development of GU tumours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, St. Joesh Hospital, Black Foot Disease Preventive Center Hsinying, Hospital, Taiwan

    Wang Ming-Yii

  2. Taiwan Field Epidemiology Training Program Executive Yuen, Taipei, Taiwan

    Wu Shen-Liang & Chen Kow-Tong

Authors
  1. Tan Lia-Beng
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  2. Wang Ming-Yii
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  3. Wu Shen-Liang
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  4. Chen Kow-Tong
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Lia-Beng, T., Ming-Yii, W., Shen-Liang, W. et al. Effect of Discontinuing the Consumption of Artesian Well Water with High Levels of Arsenic on the Occurrence of Genitourinary Tract Cancers. Int Urol Nephrol 31, 755–767 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007193529302

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