A study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal examined links between certain occupations and the risk of ovarian cancer in women. The research was published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
The researchers evaluated health data from more than 1,000 women ranging in age from 18 to 79, including 491 diagnosed cases and 879 controls without the diagnosis.
Findings indicated that tenure in specific roles for ten years or longer correlates with a higher likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. Notably, careers in accounting, hairdressing, ophthalmology, and beauty services showed elevated risk. Jobs in sales, retail, apparel, and construction were also associated with increased vulnerability.
In particular, employment in the construction sector carried a threefold increase in risk, while accounting showed about a twofold rise. Extended work hours in the clothing industry were linked to an approximately 85 percent higher risk, while sales and retail roles were associated with rises of about 45 percent and 59 percent respectively.
The team noted that professional hairdressers and beauticians have higher exposure to carcinogenic substances, including ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, various organic dyes and pigments, and bleaching agents. Office-based work was associated with higher risk attributed to prolonged sedentary behavior, underscoring how lifestyle patterns at the desk can impact ovarian cancer risk.
Conversely, the analysis found that women employed as professional nurses showed a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with other groups.
These results underscore the importance of occupational exposure as a potential factor in ovarian cancer risk, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures and ongoing research to understand how job-related factors may influence disease development. Further studies could explore how protective strategies and early detection practices may mitigate these risks for workers across industries.
Despite the associations found, the researchers emphasize that ovarian cancer is influenced by multiple factors, and occupation represents only one aspect of risk. Continuous monitoring and preventive initiatives in workplaces can contribute to a clearer understanding of how occupational environments affect women’s health over time.
emerging insights point to the value of regular health screenings and workplace safety standards as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing cancer risk among working women.