What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the female organs that produce eggs (ovaries). Due to lack of early warning signs in most cases, ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and stomach. At this late stage, it is more difficult to treat and can be fatal. A new research has identified professions that can put females at a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Professions and ovarian cancer risk
A study in Canada looked for associations between the risk of ovarian cancer and profession in 1,388 women. They found that working as a beautician, hairdresser or in construction may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Further, working long-term in accounting, sales, retail and for the clothing industry may be also associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
About the study
The study was undertaken by environmental epidemiologist Dr Anita Koushik of the Université de Montréal in Quebec and her colleagues.
Researchers analyzed 491 subjects from the Prevention of Ovarian Cancer in Quebec (PROVAQ) study, all of whom were adults aged 18–79 that had been recruited from Montreal hospitals between 2010–2016 after being diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. These participants were then compared to 897 peers without ovarian cancer who were matched up based on age and electoral roll district.
Risk factors identified
The study found associations of ovarian cancer with high exposure to particular agents such as ammonia, bleach, talcum powder, petrol and propellant gasses.
They also found that the women who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer tended to have lower levels of educational attainment, shorter oral contraceptive use, and either no children or fewer than the women in the comparison group.
Different profession and degree of risk
As per the research, working for a decade or more as either a hairdresser, beautician or construction worker was associated with a threefold increase in ovarian cancer risk. A similar time spent in accountancy was linked to a doubling in the risk.
Long-term work in the clothing industry — including embroidery — was associated with an 85 percent increase in the risk of ovarian cancer, while retail and sales were linked to 59 and 45 percent increases, respectively. The findings of the study are published in the journal ‘Occupational and Environmental Medicine’.
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What puts beauticians and hairdressers at risk?
Hairdressers, beauticians and those in related fields were the most frequently exposed to 13 of the agents of concern, including ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, organic dyes and pigments.
More research is needed as the team cautioned that it was not clear if the associations with increased ovarian cancer risk were driven by a single agent, a combination of agents, or other workplace factors.
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