Mortality among female registered nurses and school teachers in British Columbia

Abstract

The mortality profile of female nurses and teachers in British Columbia (BC) was examined using age-standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) calculated for the period 1950-1984. Lowered overall mortality among nurses was seen for degenerative heart disease and for cerebrovascular accidents. Significantly elevated PMR values were observed for cancer of the breast and ovary in nurses of age 20-65 years. PMRs were significantly elevated for cancer of the pancreas and leukemia among those age 20 years and older. Elevated values were also observed for motor vehicle accidents and suicide among nurses in both age groups. Lower than expected mortality from degenerative heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents was seen in working age teachers (age 20-65 years). However, elevated PMRs were detected for carcinoma of the colon, breast, endometrium, brain, and melanoma. Among those 20 years and over, significantly elevated PMRs were also observed for cancers of the ovary and other digestive organs. Elevated PMRs were found for motor vehicle and aircraft accidents. Mortality from cirrhosis of the liver was lower than anticipated in both teachers and nurses. A number of significant PMRs declined when deaths of "homemakers" were withdrawn from the comparison group used to generate PMR values, suggesting that risk of death from various causes among women working outside the home differ from those seen in women who are predominantly in the home.

A Proportionate Cancer Morbidity Ratio Study of Workers Exposed to Chlorinated Organic Solvents in Taiwan

“…occupational status, was related to high risks of breast cancer [17][18][19][20][21] . One of the most consistent results of previous studies was that increased risk of breast cancer was found among women with professional and managerial occupations [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] . Increased risk of breast cancer has also been found for specific job titles in this category, particularly nurses and teachers [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] .…”

“…One of the most consistent results of previous studies was that increased risk of breast cancer was found among women with professional and managerial occupations [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] . Increased risk of breast cancer has also been found for specific job titles in this category, particularly nurses and teachers [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] . To the best of our knowledge, none of the results in animal experiments showed an increased incidence of mammary tumor induced by trichloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene.…”

Cancer risk among 43 000 Norwegian nurses

“…As with breast cancer, the risk of ovarian cancer is influenced by hormones and reproductive factors (31). Confounding by reproductive factors has been suggested to explain earlier findings of an association (32)(33)(34). In our present study, the number of children and age at first birth explained very little of the observed excess of ovarian cancer, and the observed increase according to time since first employment (table 3) may have been due to different and nonoccupational causes.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of indoor environmental quality and health concerns in a juvenile court building.

“…Several studies have found teachers and other professional and managerial employees to have an increased risk for developing breast cancer [Bernstein et al 2002;King et al 1994;MacArthur et al 2007;Pollán and Gustavsson 1999;Rubin et al 1993;Snedeker 2006], but others have not [Calle et al 1998;Coogan et al 1996;Petralia et al 1998]. No causative workplace exposures have been identified for these occupations, and it is postulated that the possible increase in risk is a result of non-occupational risk factors such as parity (number of times a woman has given birth), maternal age at first birth, contraceptive use, diet, and physical activity [MacArthur et al 2007;Snedeker 2006;Threlfall et al 1985].…”