Cancer Incidence in Korean Healthcare Workers in Hospitals

Abstract

Objectives: Healthcare workers in hospitals (HHCWs), a notably increasing workforce, face various occupational hazards. A high incidence of cancer among HHCWs has been observed; however, the cancer incidence status among HHCWs in South Korea is yet to be studied. This study aimed to assess cancer incidence among HHCWs in South Korea. Methods: We constructed a retrospective cohort of HHCWs using National Health Insurance claims data, including cancer incidence status and vital status, from 2007 to 2015. Those who had worked in hospitals for at least three years were defined as HHCWs. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for all cancer types and standardized mortality ratios were calculated. Results: A total of 107,646 HHCWs were followed up, and the total follow-up duration was 905,503 person-years. Compared to the total workers, female HHCWs showed significantly higher SIR for all cancers (observed cases = 1480; SIR = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–1.47). The incidence of breast cancer among female HHCWs was significantly higher compared to that among total workers (observed cases = 376; SIR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.09–1.36). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that female HHCWs have an elevated probability of developing cancer, which suggests that occupational risk factors such as night-shift work, anti-neoplastic medications, stressful jobs, and ionizing radiation should be assessed. Further investigation and occupational environment improvement activities are required.

Increased breast cancer incidence among nurses in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea

“… 13 A study in Korea that used a nationwide health insurance database to construct a retrospective cohort of 107,646 female healthcare workers in hospitals revealed a significantly increased SIR for breast cancer compared to the entire worker population (SIR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09–1.36). 14 These results are congruent with our study findings, where the SIR for breast cancer in female workers in the nursing department as a whole was significantly higher at 1.65 (95% CI: 1.08–2.41).…”

“…Previous studies have revealed higher breast cancer incidence and mortality rates among nurses in South Korea as a whole. 14 26 However, this study indirectly confirmed the risk of some occupational hazards (antineoplastic drugs, job strain, and night shift work) for breast cancer by understanding the characteristics of the affiliated workplaces and tasks within a single large tertiary hospital based on internal personnel data.…”

“…Some studies on the incidence or mortality of breast cancer among healthcare workers, including nurses, consistently revealed an increase in the risk of breast cancer. 12 13 14 In particular, a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Korea confirmed a significantly increased incidence of breast cancer among female healthcare workers in hospitals. 14 However, these studies evaluated nurses as a single group and did not differentiate or assess their risks separately.…”

“… 12 13 14 In particular, a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Korea confirmed a significantly increased incidence of breast cancer among female healthcare workers in hospitals. 14 However, these studies evaluated nurses as a single group and did not differentiate or assess their risks separately.…”