Is occupation a risk factor for thyroid cancer? Canadian Cancer Registries Epidemiology Research Group.
A Canadian case-control study explored the etiology of thyroid cancer, including occupational exposure. Analysis of job history from 1272 thyroid cancer patients and 2666 controls revealed statistically significant risks among the following occupations: Wood Processing, Pulp and Papermaking (odds ratio [OR] = 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-5.83); Sales and Service (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05-1.52); and Clerical (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.67-0.97). ORs were adjusted for age, sex, province, cigarette smoking, education, self-reported exposure to radiation at work, and duration of employment. Exposure to ionizing radiation or electromagnetic fields at work (inferred from job histories) did not affect risk, nor did socioeconomic status, measured by education, income, or occupational prestige. Possible explanations for the results and further investigations are discussed.
Fincham
S M
SM
Division of Epidemiology, Prevention and Screening, Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton, Canada.
Ugnat
A M
AM
Hill
G B
GB
Kreiger
N
N
Mao
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*