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Occupation and keratinocyte cancer risk: a population-based case–control study

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of our study was to identify occupations associated with increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

We conducted a population-based case–control study of BCC and SCC in New Hampshire. Cases (n = 599 BCC, n = 290 SCC) and controls (n = 524) completed a self-administered residence and work history questionnaire and personal interview regarding major risk factors for skin cancer. Reported jobs were coded using the Standardized Occupational Classification system (SOC). Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for BCC and SCC were calculated for men and women separately using unconditional logistic regression models taking into account age, education, skin reaction to sun, history of painful sunburns, time spent outdoors, and for SCC, smoking.

Results

Among men, we observed elevated risks of both BCC and SCC among groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm (SOC 5622). We also found that garage and service station-related occupations (SOCs 873) and to some extent food/beverage preparation/service occupations (SOC 521) were associated with BCC risk among men. Women in health services occupations (SOC 523) had elevated risks for both tumors, especially for BCC. Additionally, administrative support (SOC 46/47) occupations were related to BCC risk among women. Other occupations were associated with excess risks, but without consistent trends by duration of employment.

Conclusion

We observed several occupations associated with elevated BCC and SCC risk. These results resemble reported findings for cutaneous melanoma and are generally consistent with the few available studies on keratinocyte cancers.

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Acknowledgement

This study was funded in part by R01CA57494 from the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA

    Josh Marehbian & Margaret R. Karagas

  2. Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Joanne S. Colt, Dalsu Baris & Patricia Stewart

  3. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Canada

    Therese A. Stukel

  4. Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA

    Steven K. Spencer

  5. Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA

    Margaret R. Karagas

Authors
  1. Josh Marehbian
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  2. Joanne S. Colt
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  3. Dalsu Baris
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  4. Patricia Stewart
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  5. Therese A. Stukel
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  6. Steven K. Spencer
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  7. Margaret R. Karagas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret R. Karagas.

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Marehbian, J., Colt, J.S., Baris, D. et al. Occupation and keratinocyte cancer risk: a population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 18, 895–908 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9034-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9034-4

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