While physicians are often perceived as enjoying longer, healthier lives due to their education, income, and access to medical care, a new study reveals a surprising exception. Surgeons—despite their expertise—carry a significantly higher mortality risk compared with other doctors, underscoring the hidden toll of their demanding profession.

Surgeons at the Top of the Mortality Risk Spectrum

A groundbreaking analysis led by Vishal Patel and colleagues in Boston examined data from the 2023 National Vital Statistics System, cross-referenced with the American Community Survey and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The dataset included over 1 million decedents, among which 224 were surgeons (0.02%) and 2,740 were nonsurgeon physicians (0.25%).

The results were striking: surgeons had a 50% higher mortality ratio than their nonsurgeon counterparts. This elevated risk aligned surgeons more closely with professionals such as lawyers, engineers, and scientists, and although still lower than the general workforce, it marked them as the most vulnerable subgroup within the physician community.

Leading Causes of Death Among Surgeons

The research revealed that neoplasms (cancers) and heart disease remain the two leading causes of death across nearly all professions. However, surgeons stood out for having the highest cancer-specific mortality rate—193.2 deaths per 100,000 people compared with only 87.5 per 100,000 among nonsurgeon physicians.

In addition to cancer, surgeons showed increased vulnerability to:

• Motor vehicle collisions, possibly linked to long work hours, fatigue, or frequent travel.
• Hypertension-related complications, reflecting chronic stress and demanding schedules.
• Assault-related mortality, a rare but concerning finding, suggesting occupational risks that extend beyond the hospital.

Why Surgeons May Face Higher Mortality Risks

The researchers suggest multiple factors may contribute to this troubling pattern:

• Work Environment Pressures: Surgeons often endure long, irregular shifts, overnight duties, and high-stakes decision-making that elevate stress levels.
• Lifestyle Impact: Unhealthy coping mechanisms such as poor diet, insufficient sleep, or lack of physical activity may accumulate over years of practice.
• Occupational Hazards: Exposure to radiation, surgical smoke, or infectious agents might play a role in cancer prevalence.
• Psychological Stress: The emotional burden of dealing with critical patient outcomes may also impact long-term health.

Implications and the Call for Further Research

While the findings shed light on the unique risks surgeons face, they also raise urgent questions. Why is cancer-specific mortality so disproportionately high in this group? Are stress-related lifestyle factors more damaging for surgeons compared with other physicians? Could occupational hazards be the hidden culprit?

The authors emphasize the need for year-over-year comparisons and deeper investigations into lifestyle, workplace culture, and preventive care for surgeons. They argue that improving surgeon well-being is not just about personal health—it also impacts the quality of patient care and the sustainability of the profession.

Bottom Line

This study turns a spotlight on an often-overlooked reality: surgeons, despite their medical expertise, may face higher mortality risks than other doctors. From elevated cancer rates to stress-induced cardiovascular disease, the profession carries health costs that demand greater awareness and intervention. Addressing these risks could transform not only surgeon well-being but also the future of surgical care worldwide.