Breast cancer incidence at a nuclear facility: Demonstration of a morbidity surveillance system

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Health Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199304000-00001· OSTI ID:6657255

Vaughan, T L; Lee, J A; Strader, C H ^[1]

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1. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA (United States)

In order to provide a timely means of identifying new or unexpected toxicities which may occur as a result of occupational exposures, the United States Department of Energy is currently developing a system of routine morbidity surveillance at selected nuclear facilities. Examination of surveillance data at the Hanford Site identified a possible increase in breast cancer incidence (based on three observed cases) among women working in the nuclear trades compared to all other women at the site (relative risk = 3.1; exact 95% confidence interval = 0.7-9.7). This triggered a more detailed investigation using a nested case-control design and individual dosimetry readings. Information on nineteen breast cancer cases occurring at the site between 1984 and 1989 and 71 matched controls were abstracted from existing occupational medicine, administrative, and health physics records. Summary variables for cumulative, average, and peak external radiation dose equivalents were calculated after allowing for 1 y and 10 y induction and latency periods. There was no evidence that the observed excess was due to radiation exposure. Since the surveillance system is designed to be ongoing, continued monitoring of breast cancer rates in this occupational group will be carried out, and more appropriately detailed studies begun if consistently elevated rates are observed.

• OSTI ID: 6657255
• Journal Information: Health Physics; (United States), Vol. 64:4; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
MAMMARY GLANDS
NEOPLASMS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIATION DOSES
WOMEN
CUMULATIVE RADIATION EFFECTS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ELDERLY PEOPLE
HANFORD RESERVATION
MONITORING
NUCLEAR ENERGY
US DOE
WASHINGTON
ADULTS
AGE GROUPS
AGED ADULTS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASES
DOSES
ENERGY
FEMALES
GLANDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
MAMMALS
MAN
MINORITY GROUPS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
POPULATIONS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SURVEILLANCE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
VERTEBRATES
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
560101 - Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies- Radiation Effects- Dosimetry & Monitoring- (1992-)