The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3301.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #71361

Cancer mortality in white and black men and women in nursing and personal care facilities in four states

James T. Walker, PhD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mailstop R18, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 513-841-4219, jtw1@cdc.gov

BACKGROUND: Workers in nursing and personal care facilities may be exposed to potential carcinogens, including microbials, chemical exposures, radiation and physical hazards. METHODS: This study investigated cancer mortality among those employed in broad occupational groups in nursing and personal care facilities in four states using proportional mortality ratios. Age-adjusted proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were computed with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using U.S. age-, gender-, and race-specific proportional mortality ratios for 1984-1998. Proportional cancer mortality ratios were also calculated for comparison to the proportional mortality ratios. RESULTS: Statistically significant increased PMRs and PCMRs in nursing and personal care facilities were found for lung cancer in black females in managerial and professional specialty occupations in Pennsylvania, rectal cancer in black men in service occupations in Ohio, ovarian cancer in white women in technical and administrative occupations in South Carolina, and cervical cancer in white women in service occupations in Pennsylvania. A statistically significant increased PMR but not PCMR was found for brain cancer in white women in managerial and professional specialty occupations in North Carolina. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that workers in nursing and personal care facilities have elevated risks of several cancers. These findings should be followed up with more detailed examination of occupational risk factors and evaluation of preventive practices for such workers.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Cancer, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Occupational Health & Safety: Posters Plus!!

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA