Lalloo, D., Lewsey, J. , Katikireddi, S.V. , MacDonald, E.B. and Demou, E. (2023) Cancer risk in information technology workers: A UK Biobank study. Occupational Medicine, 73(6), pp. 304-308. (doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqad070) (PMID:37477883) (PMCID:PMC10540665)
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Abstract
Background: The information technology (IT) workforce has been growing more rapidly than others, with occupational health (OH) risks of sedentary behaviour, physical inactivity and poor diet, yet studies of their non-communicable disease risk, notably cancer, are lacking. Aims: To investigate cancer risk in IT workers compared to others in employment and the nine major Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) groups. Methods: We evaluated incident diagnosed cancers in the UK Biobank cohort through national cancer registry linkage. Cox proportional hazard regression models, with 15-year follow-up, were used to compare incident cancer risk among IT workers with all other employed participants and with the nine major SOC groups. Results: Overall, 10 517 (4%) employed participants were IT workers. Adjusting for confounders, IT workers had a slightly lower cancer incidence compared to all other employed participants (Model 2: hazard ratio = 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–1.01). Compared to the nine major SOC groups, they had a similar (Major Groups 2, 5 and 8) or lower (Major Groups 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9) cancer incidence. Conclusions: Despite their occupational risks of sedentary behaviour, poor diet and physical inactivity, IT workers do not have an increased cancer incidence compared to all other employed participants and the nine major SOC groups. This study paves the way for large, longitudinal health outcome studies of this under-researched and rapidly growing occupational group.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Katikireddi, Professor Vittal and MacDonald, Professor Ewan and Demou, Dr Evangelia and Lalloo, Professor Drushca and Lewsey, Professor Jim |
| Authors: | Lalloo, D., Lewsey, J., Katikireddi, S.V., MacDonald, E.B., and Demou, E. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
| Journal Name: | Occupational Medicine |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| ISSN: | 0962-7480 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1471-8405 |
| Published Online: | 21 July 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © The Author(s) 2023 |
| First Published: | First published in Occupational Medicine 73(6): 304–308 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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