Exposure to Radiation and Thyroid Cancer Risk Among Young Female Nurses: A Longitudinal Analysis from the Korea Nurses’ Health Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The prevalence of Thyroid cancer has been exceptionally high in South Korea. Specifically, young women are considered an at-risk group for Thyroid cancer.
Objective:
To identify risk factors for thyroid cancer among young female nurses using a longitudinal survival analysis
Methods:
For this longitudinal study, we used a national prospective observational longitudinal cohort study of the Korea Nurses’ Health Study. The survey solicited self-reported data on thyroid cancer history, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and occupation. From an initial online survey in 2013, we selected Korean female nurses in their 20s. Data transformation from the 1st, 5th, 7th, and 9th survey cycles resulted in 22,759 cases, with 105 identified occurrences of thyroid cancer. Analyses were carried out between September 2021 and March 2022.
Results:
Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that age, marital status, sleep problems, night-shift work, working units, and duration of exposure to radiation in the hospital were associated with the occurrence of thyroid cancer. In our Cox regression model, female nurses in their 20s (vs. nurses in their 30s; hazard ratio [HR]=4.602), those who worked night shifts (HR=1.923), and those who had been exposed to radiation in hospitals (<1 year: HR=3.449; ≥1 year: HR=4.178) were more likely to develop thyroid cancer when all variables were considered.
Conclusions:
Our study found a significant link between thyroid cancer occurrence and factors such as radiation exposure duration, younger age, and night shift work in female nurses. It emphasizes the need for regular radiation monitoring, especially for younger night shift nurses, and the consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Clinical Trial: N/A
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