Cancer incidence in female Canadian military personnel and Veterans: Summarizing age and time trends in comparison to the general population

Introduction: This study examined time- and age-based incident cancer trends in female Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and Veterans compared to females in the general population. Methods: Females who served in the CAF from 1976-2016 were identified using CAF administrative data (N = 38,380), for whom 2,120 primary cancer diagnoses were ascertained from national cancer registries between 1976 and 2017. Using age- and year-specific rates from females in the general population, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). Sub-group analyses restricted by military rank were also conducted. Results: In the study population, lower rates of all cancer were observed in the 20-39-year-old (SIR = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.78-0.95) and 40-49-year-old age groups (SIR = 0.92, 95% CI, 0.85-0.99), and for colorectal cancer, in the 20-39-year-old age group (SIR = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.24-0.98). Melanoma rates were elevated for the 2010-17 period (SIR = 1.38, 95% CI, 1.07-1.77) compared with the general population. In junior non-commissioned members, the rate of lung/bronchus cancer was elevated for the 2010-17 time period (SIR = 1.36, 95% CI, 1.06-1.72), and 50-59-year-old (SIR = 1.37, 95% CI, 1.06-1.75) and 60-74-year-old age groups (SIR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.01-2.22); and the rate of cervical cancer was elevated for the 2000-09 time period (SIR = 1.52, 95% CI, 1.07-2.09) compared to the general population. Discussion: These findings suggest considering incident cancer trends by age group, military rank, and time period for health promotion and program planning, and future research on female personnel and Veterans.