Lung cancer and cigarette smoking in women: a multicenter case-control study in Europe

Agudo, A. et al. (2000) Lung cancer and cigarette smoking in women: a multicenter case-control study in Europe. International Journal of Cancer, 88(5), pp. 820-827. (doi: 10.1002/1097-0215(20001201)88:5<820::AID-IJC21>3.0.CO;2-J)

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Abstract

The association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer risk in women was investigated within the framework of a case-control study in 9 centres from 6 European countries. Cases were 1,556 women up to 75 years of age with histologically confirmed primary lung cancer; 2, 450 controls with age distribution similar to cases were selected. The predominant cell type was adenocarcinoma (33.5%), with similar proportions for squamous-cell type (26.4%) and small-cell carcinoma (22.3%). Overall, smoking cigarettes at any time was associated with a 5-fold increase in lung cancer risk (odds ratio 5.21, 95% confidence interval 4.49-6.04); corresponding figures for current smoking habits were 8.94, 7.54-10.6. The association showed a dose-response relationship with duration of the habit and daily and cumulative lifetime smoking. A significant excess risk of 70% was associated with every 10 pack-years smoked. After 10 years of smoking cessation, the relative risk decreased to 20% compared to current smokers. The following characteristics were associated with a higher relative risk: inhalation of smoke, smoking non-filter cigarettes, smoking dark-type cigarettes and starting at young age. The association was observed for all major histological types, being the strongest for small-cell type carcinoma, followed by squamous-cell type and the lowest for adenocarcinoma. The proportion of lung-cancer cases in the population attributable to cigarette smoking ranged from 14% to 85%. We concluded that women share most features of the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer observed in men.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Whitley, Dr Elise
Authors: Agudo, A., Ahrens, W., Benhamou, E., Benhamou, S., Boffetta, P., Darby, S.C., Forastiere, F., Fortes, C., Gaborieau, V., González, C.A., Jöckel, K.H., Kreuzer, M., Merletti, F., Pohlabeln, H., Richiardi, L., Whitley, E., Wichmann, H.E., Zambon, P., and Simonato, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:International Journal of Cancer
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons
ISSN:0020-7136
ISSN (Online):1097-0215

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