Abstract
The risk of cancer was studied in 2,413 males registered as waiters at the 1960 census in Norway. A personal identification number was used in linking this cohort of waiters with the Norwegian Cancer Registry. The follow-up period was 1961-1984. An excess risk of cancer was observed for the following primary sites: upper respiratory and digestive tracts combined 42 observed against 11.3 expected, liver (14 versus 2.87), rectum (28 versus 13.89), and lung (67 versus 43.66). The highest risk for all these types of cancer was seen among those who were waiters at both censuses in 1960 and 1970. In the case of cancer of the stomach the observed number of cases was significantly lower than expected (14 versus 25.68). It is known that smoking habits and alcohol consumption are substantial aetiological factors for the types of cancer in which an excess risk has been demonstrated here.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Andersen, A., Bjelke, E. & Langmark, F. Cancer in waiters. Br J Cancer 60, 112–115 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1989.232
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1989.232
This article is cited by
-
Deaths from nasopharyngeal cancer among waiters and waitresses in Chinese restaurants
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health (2004)
-
Incidence of cancer among male waiters and cooks: two Norwegian cohorts
Cancer Causes and Control (1993)
