Cancer Risk in Waiters
Author Information
Author(s): A.a. Andersen, E. Bjelkel, F. Langmark
Primary Institution: The Cancer Registry of Norway
Hypothesis
Do waiters have a higher risk of cancer compared to the general population?
Conclusion
Waiters have a significantly higher risk of several types of cancer, particularly lung and liver cancer, compared to expected rates.
Supporting Evidence
- Waiters showed a statistically significant excess risk of cancer for the upper respiratory and digestive tracts.
- An excess risk was observed for liver cancer with a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 676.
- Waiters had a higher mortality rate from lung cancer than all other occupational groups.
- The study found 346 new cases of cancer among waiters compared to 271 expected.
- Significantly lower risk of stomach cancer was observed among waiters.
Takeaway
Waiters are more likely to get certain types of cancer because they often smoke and drink alcohol more than other people.
Methodology
The study linked census data with cancer registry data to compare observed and expected cancer cases among waiters over a follow-up period from 1961 to 1984.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported occupation and lack of data on individual smoking and alcohol consumption.
Limitations
The study relied on historical census data, which may not accurately reflect current smoking and drinking habits.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of 2,413 male waiters aged 20 to 70 years at the 1960 census.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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