Association between pesticide exposure and colorectal cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global malignancy, yet the relationship between pesticide exposure and CRC risk remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between exposure to specific pesticide classes (fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, and insect...

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Published in:International Journal of Environmental Health Research Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 425 - 452
Main Authors: Moosavy, Seyedhamid, Darmadi, Darmadi, Fakhri, Yadolah, Masoud Hosseini, Sayed, Yumashev, Alexey
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Mar2026
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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        atl: Association between pesticide exposure and colorectal cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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          Moosavy, Seyedhamid
          Darmadi, Darmadi
          Fakhri, Yadolah
          Masoud Hosseini, Sayed
          Yumashev, Alexey
        affil: Associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
      sug:
        subj:
          Environmental Exposure Adverse Effects
          Pesticides Adverse Effects
          Colorectal Neoplasms Risk Factors
          Colonic Neoplasms Risk Factors
          Rectal Neoplasms Risk Factors
          Risk Assessment
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          PubMed
          Embase
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Odds Ratio
          Confidence Intervals
          Carcinogens
          Herbicides
          Insecticides
          Checklists
          Male
          Female
      ab: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global malignancy, yet the relationship between pesticide exposure and CRC risk remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between exposure to specific pesticide classes (fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) and the risk of colon, colorectal, and rectal cancers. A comprehensive search of international databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) was conducted up to January 2025. Adjusted risk estimates were pooled using a fixed-effect model for CRC outcomes. Analysis of 32 studies revealed no significant associations between fumigants and CRC risk [colon: ES = 0.87, 95% CI (0.57–1.17); colorectal: ES = 0.92, 95% CI (0.67–1.17); rectal: ES = 1.04, 95% CI (0.54–1.54)]. Similarly, fungicides showed no significant associations [colon: ES = 0.83, 95% CI (0.62–1.03); colorectal: ES = 0.89, 95% CI (0.72–1.07); rectal: ES = 0.96, 95% CI (0.62–1.31)]. Herbicides also demonstrated no risk associations across CRC [colon: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85–1.10); colorectal: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85–1.10); rectal: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85–1.10)]. However, insecticide exposure was associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer (ES = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80–0.91), though no significant links were observed for colorectal or rectal cancers. No association was observed between exposure to fumigants, fungicides, or herbicides and the risk of CRC. Insecticides may confer a modest protective effect against colon cancer, though further mechanistic and epidemiological studies are warranted.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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