List Of High Paying Jobs Linked To Cancer

Do you know that Your high-paying job may be putting you at greater risk for developing cancer?.

While white collar work has long been associated with milder issues such as stress and back pain, experts are warning certain occupations raise the risk of tumors forming.

Pilots, for example, are exposed to a much larger dose of UV light, which studies show puts them at risk of deadly skin cancers.

Some medical professions also have an increase risk of cancer, either due to night work or exposure to radiation from medical equipment.

And numerous studies show desk jobs, which see long working hours, high pressure and a lack of physical activity, create a higher risk for blood cancer.

Below are seven surprising white-collar jobs that can increase the risk of cancer: 

Pilots

Constant exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation while sitting in the cockpit can increase the risk for developing melanoma.

A 2015 JAMA meta analysis of 19 studies suggested pilots are twice as likely to develop melanoma than the general population.

Researchers explained this was due to increased altitude-related exposure to UV and cosmic radiation.

Altitude-related exposure to UV refers to the increased level of UV radiation exposure that occurs at higher altitudes due to the thinner atmosphere.

Typically, UV exposure increases by two percent every 1,000 feet and commercial airplanes typically fly at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet above sea level.

Cosmic radiation exposure is the amount of radiation from space that people receive.

It’s a natural part of the environment and the average person is exposed to a small amount each year. However, the higher you go up in the atmosphere, the more you are exposed to it.

Excessive exposure to both UV rays due to high altitude and cosmic radiation can increase the risk of cancer.

While flying from city to city may sound fun, constant exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation while sitting in the cockpit can increase the risk for developing melanoma

Doctors 

Doctors, particularly those with significant radiation exposure like radiologists or radiation therapists, are at a higher risk of certain cancers, including thyroid cancer.

Exposure can occur either from radiation like X-rays, diagnostic imaging procedures like CT scans and fluoroscopy (a medical procedure that allows doctors to see real-time movements inside the body by passing x-rays through it)

The thyroid is butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck that releases hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature.

In a 2003 American Cancer Society Journal study, researchers found male radiologists were nearly three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer as compared to females radiologist.

Apart from this, prolonged exposure to radiation can also cause blood cancers such as osteosarcoma – bone cancer – and acute myeloid leukemia – cancer of the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced.

Doctors, particularly those with significant radiation exposure like radiologists or radiation therapists, are extremely prone to develop thyroid cancer

Accountants 

A typical desk job with long hours can make women more susceptible to developing ovarian cancer

While a typical desk job with long hours has been thought to be the reason behind stress-related disorders such as anxiety and poor mental health, it can also make women more susceptible to developing ovarian cancer.

In 2015, researchers from the American Cancer Society found women who spend over six hours per day sitting have a 43 percent greater risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who spend less than three hours sitting per day.

The study, which was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, also noted despite adjusting for amount of physical activity, BMI and age, the risk levels remained the same.

While the relationship between sitting and the disease is not clear, inactivity can cause weight gain, which can lead to cancer.

Dr Dale Shepard, an oncologist explains: ‘Sitting is a correlate of obesity – and having obesity is a risk factor for certain types of cancer.

‘The real takeaway in all of this is the importance of being active and managing your weight.’

Teachers

Some studies have found teachers have a slightly increased risk of certain cancers, such as b****t cancer, melanoma and lymphoma.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system and can be caused by a weakened immune system.

A weakened immune system can make it difficult for the body to detect and eliminate abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) that could potentially become cancerous, allowing them to multiply unchecked and form tumors within the lymph nodes.

Constant exposure to multiple students who may be carrying viruses can increase a teacher’s risk of contracting infections – causing them to be ill for longer periods of time and in turn weaken their immune systems.

Teachers have a slightly increased risk of certain cancers, such as b****t cancer, melanoma and lymphoma

Teachers working in older buildings may also be exposed to asbestos in schools, which can lead to cancer.

A 2015 study also found teachers in California who had long-term, low-dose exposure to cadmium, a type of metal in the air, had an elevated risk of b****t cancer, specifically hormone-responsive-negative tumors.

Cadmium can be found in school water systems as well in the air, dust and dirt of playgrounds.

Hairdressers 

Hairdressers may also have a slightly elevated risk of developing certain cancers due to exposure to chemicals in hair dyes and sprays.

Certain cancers such as bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia and b****t cancer are seen in barbers and hairdressers.

The chemicals in hair dyes and other salon products contain potential carcinogens like benzene, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer when inhaled repeatedly over time, particularly in poorly ventilated salons.

Additionally, chemicals used in perms, relaxers and styling products also contain harmful chemicals that can increase the risk for cancer.

In a BMJ study, researchers found hairdressers who had been in the profession for less than 10 years had 70 percent higher odds of developing bladder cancer than the general population due to their exposure to chemicals such aromatic amines.

Aromatic amines are carcinogenic organic compounds that can be found in hair dyes, rubber and leather and they can significantly increase a risk for cancer.

Firefighters 

A study showed that firefighters have a significantly increased risk of developing blood cancers

A study published by a group of scientists in the Frontiers of Oncology showed firefighters have a significantly increased risk of developing melanoma and prostate cancer.

It suggested the frontline workers had a 14 percent likely chance of having melanoma and nine percent had a likely chance of developing prostate cancer.

Due to their high levels of exposure to carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) released into the air when synthetic items and plastic burn in buildings, firefighters are more susceptible to cancer.

PAHs are a group of chemicals found in coal, oil, and gasoline and can cause lung cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer and possibly bladder cancer.

They may also encounter other known carcinogens such as asbestos and diesel exhaust that can worsen their situation.

Musicians 

On March 1, David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk band New York Dolls, died at his home

Some studies have shown that artists, including musicians tend to be more prone to developing tumors.

A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests prolonged exposure to loud noise increases the risk of acoustic neuroma.

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that grows in the nerve connecting the ear to the brain that is associated with hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and disequilibrium.

The scientists involved concluded those who are exposed to loud noise from any source had a 55 percent higher chance of developing an acoustic neuroma in their ear than their counterparts.

On March 1, musician David Johansen, the former lead singer of the punk band New York Dolls, died at his home in New York after he announced he was suffering from stage four cancer, a brain tumor and a broken back.

His daughter Leah Hennessey had previously revealed he had been in ‘intensive treatment’ for ‘most of the past decade’ and in 2020 he developed a brain tumor, though it is unclear what type cancer he was suffering from.

This is the end of my list. Feel free to add yours in the comment section below 😊

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