The frequency of disabling malignancies in air force personnel during 1371-1382

Disability is a major problem affecting both function and economy of the laborers and society. Malignancies represent a significant proportion of health problems in the working population. This study attempts to determine the frequency of disabling malignancies in air force personnel in a period of 11 years (during 1371-1382). In a retrospective، cross-sectional design a descriptive-analytical study was conducted on all military and nonmilitary (office workers) personnel who had retired for medical reasons with a diagnosis of cancer during 1371-1382. The SPSS software was used for data analysis. Among 1931 individuals who had an early retirement foe medical reasons، 160 (8. 3%) had cancer. Average age was 41. 2±5. 9 years. Average lost service years were 7. 5±5. 6 years. The malignancies of the nervous system were the most common type (46 cases، 28. 7%)، including brain tumors (36 cases، 22. 5%)، followed by gastrointestinal cancers (36 cases، 24. 5%). There was a significant relation between different service and the type of cancer. The prevailing disabling cancers were observed in the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract; this is similar to other studies. According to our findings cancers do not seem to be a significant etiology for disability. The higher frequency of gastrointestinal cancers in our study may be related to a certain diet or an unhealthy life style; factors that are easily amenable to elimination by proper education.