Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Previous studies have found a higher risk in nurses but no clear relationship among other health professionals. This study aims to investigate the risks of incident breast cancer among female health professionals compared with that among nonhealth professionals in Taiwan. This longitudinal observational cohort study included >35 years (1979-2016) of data from 4 nationwide population-based databases in Taiwan and identified matched cohorts with 1-to-2 propensity score matching between 277,543 health professionals and 555,086 nonhealth professionals. This study calculated total person-years for study subjects and compared breast cancer incidence between matched health and nonhealth professionals. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards and competing risk analyses were used, stratified by birth age, job tenure categories, and types of health professional license. Statistical analyses were conducted in 2019-2020. Health professionals had a significantly higher risk of breast cancer (hazard ratio=1.34, 95% CI=1.28-1.41; subdistribution hazard ratio=1.36, 95% CI=1.30, 1.42). Elevated risk of breast cancer incidence was associated with birth age, job tenure, and several health professional license types, including physician, pharmacist, registered nurse, midwife, medical technologist, and psychologist. Elevated breast cancer risk was found overall in female health professionals. Regular ultrasonography for younger women and mammography for those aged >45 years may be necessary in the annual labor physical examination for female health professionals.
Graphical Abstract
Application and Highlights:
1.This study analyzed >35 years of population-based data and found a significantly higher risk of breast cancer among female health
professionals. Occupational health policy intervention may be necessary to further prevent breast cancer risk among female health
professionals.
2.Regular ultrasonography for younger women or mammography for women aged >45 years may be necessary in the annual labor physical
examination for female health professionals.
Research Team Members: Hui-Min Hsieh, Cheng-Ting Shen, Chih-Hong Pan, Ming-Tsang Wu, Yun-Shiuan Chuang
Representative Department: Center for Big Data Research and Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University
Contact Email: hsiehhm@gmail.com
Publication: Shen, C.T., Hsieh, H.M.*, Pan, C.H., Wu, M.T., and Chuang, Y.S. (2021). “Breast Cancer Risks among Female Health Professionals: a 35-year Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study in Taiwan”, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 61(6): 831-840.
Full-Text Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34384653/
