OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of malignant tumors in nurses and its influencing factors and to provide a reference for protecting the health of nurses.

METHODSCluster sampling was used to randomly survey 1204 married nurses working in one tumor hospital and two tertiary general hospital in Beijing, China, from June to August in 2014. Using the homemade health questionnaire and medical examination reports, the prevalence of malignant tumors in nurses was analyzed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of malignant tumors in nurses was 18.3‰, and the prevalence of malignant tumors in the tumor hospital was the highest, reaching 40.1‰. The prevalence of malignant tumors varied significantly between nurses in different hospitals (P<0.05) and in different departments (P<0.05). The malignant tumors in nurses mainly included breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer. The mean age of nurses suffering from malignant tumors was 41 years, and the mean length of service was 20 years. The hospital and department where nurses worked, as well as their age and length of service, were significantly associated with malignant tumors (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer is high in nurses surveyed, particularly those working in the tumor hospital. Further in-depth analysis of the reasons is needed to take preventive interventions for protecting the health of nurses.