Occupation and thyroid cancer risk in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify occupations and industries with increased incidence of thyroid cancer in Swedish workers. METHOD Standardized incidence ratios were computed for each job and industry for the period 1971-1989 through record-linkage with the Swedish National Cancer and Death Registers. Age-, period-, geographically adjusted relative risks were calculated using Poisson models. RESULTS Increased risks were found for teachers, construction carpenters, policemen, and prison/reformatory officials in men, and medical technicians, shop managers, tailors, and shoecutters among women. Industries with risk excess are manufacture of agricultural machinery, manufacture of computing/accessories, and public administration/police among men; and manufacture of prefabricated wooden buildings, electric installation work, and wholesale of live animals/fertilizers/oilseed/grain among women. CONCLUSIONS Our results corroborate some previously reported increased risks. Further research is needed to assess the influence of specific chemical agents related with some of the highlighted work environments.