Cancer in Orthopaedic Surgeons: Results of an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Survey.

Background: There is a currently limited data regarding cancer risk in Orthopaedic Surgeons. This study summarizes a survey on cancer prevalence in orthopaedic surgeons.

Methods: A cancer prevalence survey was emailed to all 23,370 members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Results: 1826 (7.8%) AAOS members responded to the survey. 291 respondents (15.9%) have been diagnosed with cancer. The average age of those with cancer was 66 years, while the average age of those without cancer was 56 years (p<0.001). The most common cancers were skin cancer (9.58%), prostate cancer (5.11% of men), and breast cancer (2.4% of women). Screening colonoscopy had been performed in 129/203 (63.5%) surgeons between the ages of 50 and 55 years. We were unable to demonstrate an association between specific types of cancer and orthopaedic specialty. 36% of those aged 50-55 years had not undergone screening colonoscopy.

Conclusion: This study highlights the overall 15.9% prevalence of cancer and 9.58% prevalence of skin cancer in all orthopaedic surgeons; the 5.11% prevalence of prostate cancer in male orthopaedic surgeons; and the 2.4% prevalence of breast cancer in female orthopaedic surgeons who responded to the survey. There is room for improvement in routine screening for prostate cancer (men), breast cancer (women) and colon cancer (both). Level of Evidence: IV.