9 jobs that are associated with an increased risk of cancer

Many jobs can be hazardous to your health. Certain professions, such as coal mining and firefighting, carry well-known risks of illness or injury. Other jobs may seem safe, but can still pose a risk to your overall health if they expose you to hazardous materials.

However, by understanding the hazards and taking preventive measures to reduce the risk, workers can reduce their chances of getting sick.

Here are 9 jobs that may be associated with higher cancer risk.

9 PHOTOS

1. Pilots.

Pilots can be exposed to above-average UV radiation at work. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is known to increase the risk of skin cancer. Sitting in an airplane cockpit for an hour in flight can expose your skin to the same amount of UV radiation as using a tanning bed for 20 minutes, a study found.

2. Rescuers.

Rescuers can also sustain skin damage at work. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that the sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. During these hours, the organization recommends that people limit exposure to the sun and apply generous sunscreen of at least SPF 15.

3. Any written work.

If you are one of the workers who work at the desk all day, your job can have a negative impact on your health. A 2009 study found that people who had increased sitting time had higher rates of cancer and overall mortality, even if they exercised daily.

4. Workers of the nail salon.

Nail salons are known to have strong pairs. In fact, research has shown that nail salons can contain more cancer-causing chemicals than car parks or refineries. A study published this year in the journal Environmental Pollution showed that the carcinogenic chemical benzene can be present in many salons. The researchers predicted that the nail salon workers analyzed in their study would have an increased risk of developing cancer due to their exposure.

5. Farmers and others in agricultural work.

Farmers and their families are being diagnosed with some types of cancer at rates higher than usual compared to people in other occupations, and researchers believe this may be due to increased exposure to pesticides. 2011 - A study was conducted in Iowa and North Carolina and found that the incidence of prostate cancer was higher among farmers than among other residents of these states.

6. Firefighters.

Unsurprisingly, firefighters work in dangerous and potentially deadly conditions. But firefighters can experience adverse health effects after taking off their suits due to the smoke they inhale.

7. Painters.

Painters can be exposed to paint fumes, which can contain chemicals such as benzene, which has been linked to an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. Arsenic is also found in some paints and is classified as a carcinogen to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Therefore, painters who do not wear protective masks and other equipment may be at risk of developing some types of cancer. A study in New Zealand found that painters may have a higher risk of multiple myeloma and tumors of the bladder or kidney.

8. Manufacturers of rubber.

Rubber workers were found to have a higher risk of bladder cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia than the general population.

9. Builders.

Asbestos can pose a serious threat to builders, and the harmful effects of this material may not appear for years.