Abstract
Risk factors of lung cancer unrelated to smoking are not well-studied, especially among women. Family history has been shown to play a role in predisposing individuals to lung cancer, but this relationship has not been investigated in the Southeast Asian population. A total of 1159 women were recruited in a case–control study conducted in public hospitals in Singapore from 2005 to 2008. After excluding participants with incomplete family history information, 374 cases and 785 controls remained in the final analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Overall, family history of lung cancer was associated with a higher risk for lung cancer (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.25–3.47). When stratified by smoking status, a significant association was observed among never-smokers (aOR 2.78, 95% CI 1.57–4.90). Further stratification by fruit consumption identified a significant association between family history of lung cancer and higher risk of lung cancer among never-smokers who had low fruit consumption (aOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.37–7.01). Our findings suggest that family history of lung cancer is a significant risk factor for lung cancer in Singaporean Chinese women, especially among never-smokers.
Highlights
Risk factors of lung cancer unrelated to smoking are not well-studied, especially among women
After adjusting for potential confounders, family history of lung cancer was more strongly associated with a higher lung cancer risk than having a family history of any cancer, as compared to those with no family history (Table 2)
When stratified by smoking status, the association between family history of lung cancer and the lung cancer risk was evident among never-smokers, but not among ever-smokers
Summary
Risk factors of lung cancer unrelated to smoking are not well-studied, especially among women. Further stratification by fruit consumption identified a significant association between family history of lung cancer and higher risk of lung cancer among never-smokers who had low fruit consumption (aOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.37–7.01). Our findings suggest that family history of lung cancer is a significant risk factor for lung cancer in Singaporean Chinese women, especially among never-smokers. It is important to identify potential risk factors other than smoking to explain the high lung cancer prevalence among Singaporean women. Previous meta-analyses and pooled analysis provided strong evidence that family history of lung cancer is associated with an increased risk of the disease, reporting odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 1.51 to 2.7914,15. This study, aimed to evaluate the association between family history and lung cancer, including its subtypes, among Singaporean Chinese women. Potential effect modifications by other risk factors such as smoking and fruit consumption for lung cancer were investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
