Why Surgeons Are Dying of Cancer More Often
A new study has brought forward an important health concern: surgeons may be at higher risk of cancer compared to other doctors and professionals. Researchers from Harvard Medical School analysed national health data and discovered that cancer deaths among U.S. surgeons are more than double those of nonsurgeon physicians. These findings raise serious questions about possible job-related health risks in the surgical field.
What the Study Looked At
Published in JAMA Surgery, the research involved reviewing death records of over 1 million people aged 25 to 74 from the 2023 National Vital Statistics System. This included:
- 224 surgeons
- 2,740 nonsurgeon physicians
- Other professionals like lawyers, engineers, and scientists
The research team measured causes of death using age- and sex-adjusted rates and calculated mortality rate ratios (MRRs) to compare groups fairly.
Surgeons Have Higher Cancer Death Rates
The key finding was striking: surgeons had 193.2 cancer deaths per 100,000 people, compared to:
- 87.5 per 100,000 for nonsurgeon physicians
- 162.0 per 100,000 for all other workers
This means surgeons are at higher risk of cancer than both other physicians and the general workforce, with a mortality rate ratio of 2.21 when compared to nonsurgeon doctors.
Other Causes of Death Are Lower in Surgeons
Interestingly, surgeons had lower death rates than most other groups for many health conditions, including:
- Respiratory diseases
- Diabetes
- Kidney and liver diseases
- Influenza and septicemia
For example, death from diabetes was just 1.6 per 100,000 in surgeons — far lower than the 23.8 per 100,000 seen in the general working population.
Accidents
Car accidents were the 4th leading cause of death for surgeons, but that does not mean surgeons are worse drivers. Their rate (13.4 per 100,000) was lower than that of other workers (16.6 per 100,000). The high ranking simply reflects how low their death rates are in most other categories.
Why Are Surgeons at Higher Risk of Cancer?
This concerning trend suggests that job-specific exposures may be to blame. Despite having similar medical knowledge and access to care as other doctors, surgeons still face:
- Long hours in operating rooms
- Exposure to surgical smoke and anaesthesia gases
- Radiation and chemical sterilisers
These work-related factors may explain why surgeons are at higher risk of cancer, even though they tend to live healthier lives in other areas.
Time to Address Workplace Hazards
While the overall death rate for surgeons remains lower than that of the general workforce, the elevated cancer mortality cannot be ignored. Reducing exposure to harmful substances, improving ventilation in operating rooms, and increasing awareness may help protect those working in surgery.
Conclusion
This research shines a light on a hidden occupational hazard: surgeons face a higher cancer risk than expected, even when compared to other medical professionals. More studies and safety efforts are needed to help ensure the long-term health of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
