Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
07:03
Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
Published on: October 2, 2020
Occupation and breast cancer: a Canadian case-control study
James T Brophy1, Margaret M Keith, Kevin M Gorey
1Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jbrophy@ohcow.on.ca
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 23, 2006
Summary
Women who worked in farming, especially in early adulthood, showed a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Subsequent work in automotive or healthcare fields further elevated this risk.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Occupation is a potential risk factor for cancer.
- Previous research suggested a link between farming and breast cancer in younger women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between occupational history and breast cancer risk.
- To evaluate lifetime occupational exposures in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year case-control study was conducted in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
- Lifetime occupational histories of women with breast cancer were compared to controls.
- Statistical analysis included odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Main Results:
- Women with breast cancer were nearly three times more likely to have worked in agriculture (OR = 2.80).
- Combined agricultural work with subsequent automotive manufacturing (OR = 4.0) or healthcare (OR = 2.3) showed elevated risks.
- Farming was often an early career, sometimes starting in adolescence.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a possible association between agricultural work and breast cancer.
- Further research is needed to identify specific farming exposures and the impact of exposure timing on cancer risk.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...