Increased Breast Cancer Prevalence Among Female Orthopedic Surgeons

Abstract

Our findings confirm that breast cancer prevalence is elevated among female orthopaedic surgeons. Although further research is needed to determine the factors behind this population's hypothesized increased risk, taken together, our results and others suggest that the orthopaedic community consider educating current practitioners of the use of protective shielding and other modifiable breast cancer risk factors.

Radiation exposure during scoliosis surgery: a prospective study

“…Mastrangelo et al [18] showed a significant increase in tumors among orthopedic surgeons over a 14-year-period. A larger study by Chou et al [19] of breast cancer prevalence among female orthopedic surgeons surveyed female members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and discovered that they had breast cancer prevalence 85% higher than in the general population.…”

Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Breast Cancer / Wpływ Zanieczyszczenia Środowiska Na Raka Piersi

“…The female orthopaedic surgeons had a statistically significant 2.9-fold higher prevalence of breast cancer compared to the general U.S. female population (standardized prevalence ratio: 2.9; 95% CI 1.66-4.71) [264]. No clear association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and breast cancer among Norwegian nurses due to occupational exposure to ionizing radiation [265].…”

Cancer Prevalence among a Cross-sectional Survey of Female Orthopedic, Urology, and Plastic Surgeons in the United States

“…The methods described here to survey female orthopedic surgeons have been described previously (Chou et al, 2012). The following directories were used to obtain the names and mailing addresses of all female urologists, plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons practicing in the United States: American Board of Urology 2012 list of board-certified urologists, American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2012 membership directory, and the 2009 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons membership directory.…”

“…Survey responses were collected between June and October 2012 from the urologists, between March and July 2012 from the plastic surgeons, and between June 2009 and June 2010 from the orthopedic surgeons (Chou et al, 2012).…”

“…66-4.71;Chou, Chandran, Harris, Tung & Butler, 2012). The distribution of established risk and preventative factors associated with breast cancer were compared between the study population of 505 orthopedic surgeons and women in California who participated in the population-based California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).…”