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Breast cancer – the working environment could be to blame
A team of French researchers have been studying the impact of the working environment on the occurrence of breast cancer. Women who work at night, for example, and women who work in the textile industry or in the manufacture of plastic materials appear to be at greater risk than others.
Many risk factors for breast cancer have now been clearly identified, they include genetic characteristics, family history, late pregnancy and certain hormone treatments for the menopause. “However, these only explain a minority of cases” INSERM (the French medical research council) explains.
The authors of the report gathered information about 1,200 women who had had breast cancer between 2005 and 2007. Another group of 1,300 women in good health formed a “control group”. A very detailed questionnaire was used to trace the working life of each of these women.
Some jobs increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Women who work in industries such as textiles and plastics manufacture appear to be at particular risk. “We studied the incidence of exposure to certain substances such as solvents and pesticides. Our work also highlighted a possible link between breast cancer and night work.
The women at greatest risk of developing breast cancer are those who work in the health sector, the catering industry and transport. It would seem that the changes in their biological clock, which effect their hormone mechanisms, also play a role. In Denmark, for example, breast cancer is already recognised as an occupational illness among some women who have done night work for many years.
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