Author: Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Gustavsson P, Plato N, López-Abente G, Pollán, M.
Source: Am J Ind Med.
Year: 2005
Comment:
In this study, occupational exposure to mercury through dentistry is associated with increased health risks of melanoma.
Abstract / Excerpt:
“BACKGROUND:
Few occupational studies have addressed melanoma in women. Accordingly, our aim was to identify occupations with higher risk of cutaneous melanoma, overall and by site, in Swedish female workers.
METHODS:
All gainfully employed Swedish women were followed-up from 1971 to 1989, using Death/Cancer Registers. Occupational risk ratios adjusted for age, period, town size, and geographic zone were computed for each site. Risk patterns for different sites were then compared.
RESULTS:
High risks were observed among educators, bank tellers, dental nurses, librarians/archivists/curators, horticultural workers, and hatmakers/milliners. Telephone operators and textile workers had increased risk, mainly in the leg. Other occupation-specific site excesses were also found. Upper-limb risks were correlated with head/neck and thorax, though these two sites were not associated. Legs registered a special pattern, with a moderate correlation with upper limbs or thorax, and no correlation with head/neck.
CONCLUSIONS:
Some occupations with possible exposure to arsenic/mercury displayed increased risk. The generalized excess risk among hatmakers/milliners warrants further attention. The weak correlation between legs and other sites suggests site specificity in melanoma risk factors.”
Citation:
Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Gustavsson P, Plato N, López-Abente G, Pollán, M. Cutaneous melanoma in Swedish women: occupational risks by anatomic site. Am J Ind Med. 2005; 48(4):270-281.