Otago University researchers analysed the cases of 7,200 New Zealand women who died of cancer between 1988 and 1997. Occupational data was taken from death certificates.

They found leukemia death rates were significantly increased in health professionals. Ovarian cancer and Hodgkin's disease were also slightly higher.

In an article published in New Zealand Medical Journal, they say there is conflicting evidence of an association between leukemia and exposure to some antineoplastic drugs -- used to slow or stop the growth of tumor cells -- in a clinical setting.

Teachers had a significantly increased risk of death from breast cancer, an association found in other studies. They also had an increased risk of colon cancer, which had been associated with sedentary jobs and a lack of exercise.

Restaurant workers had a significantly increased risk of death from lung cancer, as seen in other studies, and thyroid cancer. The thyroid cancer finding was unusual and probably due to chance, the researchers said.

Clerical workers had a significantly increased risk of death from pleural cancer (in the membranes on the lungs) and increased risks for cancers of the bladder, brain, colon and rectum.

Between 2 and 8 percent of all cancers are estimated to be caused by occupational exposure, such as asbestos. Women are at the lower end of the scale.

The study was the first major examination of cancer mortality for women by occupation, they said.

"With increasing numbers of women entering the paid workforce ... it is becoming increasingly important that health records (mortality, cancer registry and hospital discharge data) are routinely examined for possible associations with occupation."

Source: Dominion Post. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.

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