Occupation and Female Breast Cancer Mortality in South Africa: A Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Occupational Health
• Oncology

Background:

• Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among South African women.
• The impact of occupation on breast cancer mortality has not been nationally evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between occupation and breast cancer mortality in South African women.
• To identify specific occupational groups with elevated breast cancer mortality risk.

Main Methods:

• Unmatched case-control study using national mortality data from 2011-2019.
• Compared 13,207 breast cancer deaths with 64,849 non-malignant circulatory disease deaths in women aged 30+.
• Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, year of death, education, province, and smoking status.

Main Results:

• Higher breast cancer mortality was observed in legislators, senior officials and managers, clerks, professionals, craft and related trades workers, technicians, and service workers compared to elementary occupations.
• Elevated risks persisted across 2011-2015 and 2016-2019 periods.
• Sub-occupation analysis revealed particularly high risks for building and related trades workers (excluding electricians), legal, social, and cultural professionals, and business and administration professionals.

Conclusions:

• Occupation is a significant determinant of breast cancer mortality in South Africa.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored prevention and screening strategies for specific occupational groups.
• Further research into occupational exposures and breast cancer risk is warranted.