THE INCIDENCE OF TESTICULAR CANCER IN ROYAL-AIR-FORCE PERSONNEL

Objectives To review the incidence of testicular cancer within the Royal Air Force (RAF) compared with the national incidence. Methods The medical statistics for RAF personnel (supplied by the Central Statistics Office, categorized by occupation) were reviewed for the incidence of testicular cancer and compared to the national rate. Results A significantly elevated incidence of testicular neoplasm was detected in RAF personnel, which was well above the national rate, The increased incidence appeared most marked in those personnel working directly with aircraft. Conclusion The only cause of the significantly higher incidence of testicular cancer in RAF personnel is probably related to working with aircraft. This concurs with a finding that aircraft technicians in the US Navy had an increased incidence of testicular cancer, and the exposure to hydrocarbon carcinogens in the workplace was implicated.