Cancer in California school employees, 1988-1992.

BACKGROUND Periodic concerns about excesses of cancer among teachers in California schools prompted our examination of cancer incidence in California school employees. METHODS Records of school employees between 1987-1992 were linked to the California Cancer Registry of incident cases diagnosed 1988-1992. Sex-, race-, and age-adjusted standardized incidence ratios were calculated for specific cancer sites. Analyses stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and job assignment were also performed. RESULTS Melanoma of the skin, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and female cancers of the breast, uterus, and ovary all occurred more frequently than expected in these school employees. In contrast, cancers of the respiratory system, oral cavity, digestive system, urinary system, and uterine cervix occurred less frequently. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of cancers thought to be related to hormones and/or higher socioeconomic status appeared elevated while cancers often linked to smoking and/or alcohol intake occurred less frequently in this large cohort of professional school employees.