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Hodgkin's disease in the US Navy
F C Garland1, E D Gorham, C F Garland
1Occupational Medicine Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California 92138-9174.
International Journal of Epidemiology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Young adults in the US Navy show Hodgkin's disease incidence similar to the general population. However, machinists' mates experienced a doubled risk, possibly due to occupational exposures.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Hodgkin's disease (HD) commonly affects young adults.
- The US Navy offers a large, defined population for studying young adult health.
- Previous studies on military populations and cancer risk are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Hodgkin's disease incidence in a large cohort of US Navy personnel.
- To identify potential occupational risk factors for HD within the Navy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study using Navy career and hospitalization data (1974-1979).
- Involved approximately 2.3 million person-years at risk among white male enlisted personnel.
- Identified 88 incident HD cases and compared incidence rates with the general US population and across occupations.
Main Results:
- Navy-wide age-adjusted HD incidence rates were comparable to US population rates.
- A slight, non-significant increase in HD incidence was observed with longer Navy service.
- Machinists' mates exhibited a significantly elevated risk (SIR = 2.3) compared to the Navy and US population.
Conclusions:
- Overall HD risk in the US Navy is similar to the general population.
- The machinists' mate occupation presents a potential occupational hazard for Hodgkin's disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore specific exposures (solvents, metal dusts, radiation) in this occupation.