OCCUPATION AND HEMATOPOIETIC AND LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE MALIGNANCIES AMONG WOMEN - A LINKED REGISTRY STUDY

Using a nationwide linked registry, we evaluated the incidence of seve ral hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative (HLP) malignancies among Swe dish women from 1961 to 1979 by industry and occupation. The risks of one or more types of HLP cancers (including the leukemias, non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and mycosis fungoides) were significant ly increased among women working in the agriculture and textile indust ries, housekeepers, and post office employees. Limitations of these li nked-registry data include lack of detailed information on specific ex posures and duration of employment, and the relatively small sizes of specific occupational cohorts. Nevertheless, as the proportion of wome n entering the workforce continues to increase, this data resource may provide additional clues to occupational determinants of HLP and othe r malignancies.