The team also found cancer risk was linked to more cumulative exposure to chemicals including: cosmetic talc, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, synthetic fibres, hair dust, polyester fibres, organic dyes and pigments, cellulose, formaldehyde, propellant gases, aliphatic alcohols, ethanol, isopropanol, fluorocarbons, alkanes (C5-C17), mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum and bleaches.
Because the hair and cosmetic industry is associated with using many agents, the researchers couldn't determine if exposure to one or a combination of agents drove the increased cancer risk found in the findings.
They also couldn't determine whether other workplace factors were involved but they identified 12 agents commonly present in these occupations that were suggestively associated with ovarian cancer risks. Out of the 12 agents, one agent, formaldehyde, is categorised as a Group One carcinogen.
In contrast, the findings suggest that professional nurses and educators may have a lower risk of ovarian cancer.
Though the findings suggest that specific occupations and workplace exposures may raise the risk of ovarian cancer, the study authors note that the implications of these results are limited.