Background: Alternative shift work is classified as a probable human carcinogen. Certain cancer screening tests reduce cancer mortality.
Methods: The 2010 National Health Interview Survey was used to examine associations between adherence to breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening recommendations and alternative shift work among female workers.
Results: Workers on alternative shifts, compared to workers on daytime shifts, were more likely to be non-adherent to screening recommendations for breast (34% vs. 23%) and colorectal (55% vs. 48%) cancer (P < 0.05). Workers on alternative shifts in two industries ("Manufacturing" and "Accommodation/Food Services") and three occupations ("Food Preparation/Serving," "Personal Care Services," and "Production") were more likely to be non-adherent to screening recommendations for at least two cancers (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The Affordable Care Act eliminates out-of-pocket screening expenses for these three cancers. Greater efforts are needed to promote this benefit, particularly among workers with demonstrated non-adherence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:265-275, 2014. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Keywords: breast cancer; cancer screening recommendations; cervical cancer; colorectal cancer; industry; occupation; shift work.
Published 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.