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Document ID (ISN)64047
CIS number 95-575
ISSN - Serial title 0355-3140 - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Year 1994
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Hansen J., Olsen J.H.
Title Cancer morbidity among Danish female pharmacy technicians
Bibliographic information Feb. 1994, Vol.20, No.1, p.22-26. 22 ref.
Abstract This study reports on cancer incidence among Danish female pharmacy assistants and dispensers. Altogether, 8,499 members were identified in the archives of the Association of Danish Pharmacy Technicians and followed through the files of the Danish Cancer Registry (1970-1990); observed figures were compared with those expected on the basis of national cancer incidence rates. The overall standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for cancer was 1.0. A 1.5-fold elevated risk of non-melanoma skin cancer was found, especially for long-term pharmacy assistants. An increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma appeared among long-term pharmacy dispensers. Sunlight is usually the dominant cause of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer, but occupational factors may have contributed in this study in view of the uncommon localization observed for many of these cancers and the unelevated melanoma risk. In addition to the increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which may have been associated with exposure to organic solvents, the results do not indicate any other notable cancer risks during the follow-up.
Descriptors (primary) pharmaceutical products; Denmark; pharmaceutical industry; cancer; women; morbidity
Descriptors (secondary) solar radiation; melanoma; drugs; lymphoma; long-term study; organic solvents; hazard evaluation; epidemiologic study; skin cancer
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceDenmark
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Pharmaceutical industry