OCCUPATION AND CERVICAL-CANCER

Data collected for a multicenter case-control study of invasive cervic al cancer and carcinoma in situ of the cervix were analyzed with regar d to occupation. Odds ratios comparing 481 invasive cases and 293 carc inoma in situ cases to 801 controls were calculated and adjusted for p otential confounding factors. Working women and homemakers had a simil ar risk of invasive cervical cancer, with several groups of service an d industrial workers showing elevated risks (particularly maids, clean ers, and cooks). Risk of carcinoma in situ was slightly increased for working women, but no occupational groups had notable associations. Th e principal strengths of this analysis were the ability to address bot h invasive cervical cancer and carcinoma in situ and to control for mu ltiple potential confounding factors. However, occupational informatio n was limited and risk estimates for women in specific occupations wer e imprecise.