New study looks at pesticide exposure and bladder cancer risk among Hmong farmworkers

Hmong farmworkers in California's Central Valley are the focus of a new community-based research study examining how pesticide exposure may affect bladder health and cancer risk. Paramita Ghosh, a biochemist, and Avery Braun, a urologist, both in the Department of Urologic Surgery, are leading the study. They hope to better understand the types and levels of pesticides used by small-scale Hmong farmers and the potential long-term health consequences of repeated exposure. Ghosh is also a professor with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has funded the unique year-long study as a joint venture with the First Church of God in Merced, which serves the local Hmong community.

Bladder cancer is a serious and often underdiagnosed disease that has been linked to certain chemical exposures, such as smoking, air pollutants and job-related chemicals, including pesticides. Small-scale farmers and workers may face unique risks due to frequent handling of pesticides and limited access to occupational health information. This project seeks to better understand those risks within Hmong farmers, a group who has historically been underrepresented in cancer research.<_o3a_p>

"Hmong are the most underserved population in Merced and their cancer burden is estimated to be six times greater than other ethnic groups," said First Church of God Assistant Pastor Nomtsia Xiong. "Any opportunity to develop a strategy to lower the cancer risk in our community is a great benefit to us."<_o3a_p>

Community partnership drives understanding

"This study is about listening as much as it is about learning," Ghosh said. "We want to understand what pesticides Hmong farmworkers are using, how often they are exposed, and how concerned they are about the effects on their health - particularly bladder health."<_o3a_p>

Pesticide use is often thought to cause neurological disorders and respiratory diseases - but it also affects bladder health. Ghosh said this is not talked about very much in the Hmong communities due to societal taboos regarding potentially embarrassing symptoms. <_o3a_p>

The project builds on earlier outreach conducted in collaboration with the COE and the First Church of God. Through this community partnership, the research team distributed a short questionnaire to Hmong farmers in rural areas of the Central Valley. The survey aimed to gauge both knowledge of pesticide exposure and potential indicators of bladder cancer within the community.<_o3a_p>

Early findings highlight areas of concern<_o3a_p>

While the initial response group was small, the findings highlighted important concerns. Of the eight individuals who responded, one person reported experiencing visible blood in the urine, a potential warning sign of undiagnosed bladder cancer. Other participants expressed strong interest in understanding the extent of their pesticide exposure and its possible health effects.

"The feedback from our first outreach highlights a meaningful opportunity for deeper engagement," Braun explained. "The community members are proactive about their health; they are ready to learn more and eager to connect with the right resources."<_o3a_p>

Based on these early insights, Ghosh's team and the First Church of God are proposing a collaborative research approach.<_o3a_p>

Hmong agricultural workers will not simply be research subjects, but active partners. The study aims to better understand community values, beliefs and priorities related to pesticide use and bladder health risks, including risk of bladder cancer, while also providing education and opportunities for dialogue.<_o3a_p>

Three-pronged approach to building the study's framework

The project has three main goals: <_o3a_p>

1. Identify what pesticides are being used by small farmers and in what quantities.<_o3a_p>

2. Assess whether these pesticides may have harmful effects on bladder health.<_o3a_p>

3. Explore whether repeated exposure over time could contribute to the development of bladder cancer.<_o3a_p>

To achieve this, the research team will conduct a series of community workshops focused on pesticide use and its known health effects. These sessions will be followed by surveys or questionnaires designed to capture individual exposure histories and relevant health concerns. Importantly, the study also seeks to determine the feasibility of recruiting and retaining participants from the Hmong community, with the intention of developing a larger, more comprehensive study in the future.<_o3a_p>

"Our long-term vision is to build research that is culturally responsive and truly informed by the community," said Ghosh. "If we want to address cancer disparities, we have to start by understanding and respecting the lived experiences of the people most affected."<_o3a_p>