To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Study Finds No Link Between Occupation And Breast Cancer Mortality URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/8F5F2.htm Doctor's Guide July 20, 1998
ATLANTA, GA -- July 20, 1998 -- A new study from researchers at the American Cancer Society suggests that a woman's occupation generally has little effect on breast cancer mortality. According to the study, women in particular occupations, such as teaching and nursing, were not at increased risk of dying from breast cancer. The findings were reported in the July 15, 1998, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. A 1993 study suggested that teachers had twice the risk of dying of breast cancer than other women. This study prompted significant concern because of the magnitude of the suggested increased risk and because teachers comprise one of the largest single occupational groups among women in the US. To determine the risk of breast cancer by occupation group and specifically among teachers, the researchers analysed data on more than 563,395 women who were among the female participants in the Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS II). CPS II, a prospective mortality study of about 1.2 million Americans, was begun by the American Cancer Society in 1982. After nine years of follow-up, the researchers identified 1,780 cases of fatal breast cancer. After adjusting for established breast cancer risk factors, the results revealed little variability in breast cancer mortality by occupation. According to the study, in comparison with housewives, women in administrative support, including clerical occupations, were at a small increased risk. Women classified as executives were at an increased risk, based on 10 breast cancer deaths. No significant increases were seen for teachers, librarians, nurses, managers, or women employed in sales or service occupations. "In this large, prospective mortality study, the mortality from breast cancer experienced by teachers was similar to and even slightly lower than, breast cancer mortality in housewives," said Eugenia Calle, Ph.D., director of analytic epidemiology for the American Cancer Society and principal investigator for the study. "These results agree with those from two recent, well-conducted, case-control studies of occupation and breast cancer. "Together, these studies suggest that teachers do not have any unique occupationally related exposure that puts them at increased risk of breast cancer. However, similar to other professional women, teachers may have sociodemographic and reproductive profiles that increase their risk for breast cancer and studies must be able to control for these factors in the analysis." The authors caution that the lack of an observed association between occupation and breast cancer mortality does not invalidate efforts to implement workplace screening programs. "Age-appropriate mammography screening should take place among all women, whether or not their occupation puts them at higher risk," Dr. Calle said. "If the workplace offers an opportunity for screening, then such programs should be encouraged." The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammography for women aged 40 and over. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.