Occupational risks for nasal cancer in Sweden

An elevated risk of nasal cancer (NC) has been associated with numerous occupations but with contradicting results. We sought to address recent and current risks of NC in a nationwide study. The nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for 52 occupational groups. SIRs were adjusted for age and socioeconomic status. Among 739 male cases, significantly elevated SIRs for nasal adenocarcinoma were observed in woodworkers, teachers, and fishermen. In woodworkers, the risk increased with a longer occupational history in exposure to softwood in combination with hardwood. Electrical workers had a significant elevated risk for squamous cell carcinoma. Among 182 female cases, significantly elevated SIRs were observed in glass, ceramic, and tile workers. The study identified some known risk occupations and suggested some new ones.