Differences In Lung Cancer Incidence Research Articles

Sex-Based Differences in Lung Cancer Incidence: A Retrospective Analysis of Two Large US-Based Cancer Databases

Background/Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has seen a relative rise in incidence among females versus males in recent years, although males still have a higher overall incidence. However, it is unclear whether this trend is consistent across all populations. Therefore, we retrospectively examined this relationship in two large high-risk clinical cohorts. Methods: First, we analyzed lung cancer incidence among individuals with a smoking history of over 40 pack-years in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). Then, we investigated the incidence of second primary NSCLC in patients who underwent lobectomy for previous stage I lung cancer using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We performed both univariate and multivariable time-to-event analyses to investigate the relationship between sex and lung cancer incidence. Results: In the NLST cohort (n = 37,627), females had a higher risk of developing primary NSCLC than males (HR = 1.11 [1.007–1.222], p = 0.035) after adjusting for age and pack-year history. In the SEER cohort (n = 19,327), females again exhibited an increased risk of developing a second primary lung cancer (HR = 1.138 [1.02–1.269], p = 0.021), after adjusting for age, race, grade, and histology. Conclusions: Our analysis reveals that females have a modestly higher lung cancer incidence than males in high-risk populations. These findings underscore the importance of further researching the underlying cellular processes that may cause sex-specific differences in lung cancer incidence.

Sex differences in lung cancer incidence and mortality in Russia in the light of computed tomography usage expansion: breakpoint and age-period-cohort analyses

BackgroundRussia has one of the highest lung cancer burdens globally, particularly in men. Mortality started to decline in the 1990s after the reduction in smoking prevalence. However, Russia’s recent experience is largely unknown. This study aims to describe recent trends in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Russia along with the use of computed tomography (CT). MethodsWe obtained incidence data from national cancer reports covering 1993–2021 and mortality and population data from the Russian Fertility and Mortality Database covering 1965–2021. The number of CT scanners was obtained from the OECD. Changes in age-standardized rates (Segi-Doll, per 100,000) were assessed using segmented regression and temporal effects using age-period-cohort analysis. ResultsLung cancer rates in men have been substantially higher than in women and have declined sharply since their peak in the 1990s. The latest breakpoints in incidence in women were in 2012 (95 % CI: 2000; 2014) from stagnation with an annual change of 0.7 % (−0.2; 1.5) to 3.4 % (1.6; 5.2) increase. In men, the decrease in incidence stopped in 2013 (2011; 2014) from −1.8 % (−2.1; −1.4) to 0.3 % (−0.7; 1.3). The growing number of CT scans accompanied the recent changes in incidence rates. Incidence declined sharply in 2020 in men and women. There were no substantial changes in declining mortality trends. Period effects were visible after 2012 when incidence rates increased and deviated from mortality. After accounting for the period effect, generations born after the 1950s had lower risks. ConclusionIncreasing lung cancer incidence rates in Russia in the late 2010s, especially in women, and the stable mortality trends could be a possible sign of diagnostic or treatment period effect. The increased use of CT should be monitored for possible benefits and harms.

Abstract LB378: Incidence and trends in subsequent primary lung cancer by sex in the United States

Abstract Importance The difference in lung cancer incidence by sex has been extensively documented in the US. Nonetheless, previous studies did not differentiate between first primary lung cancers (FPLCs) and those that occur in individuals with a history of cancer (i.e., subsequent primary lung cancers or SPLCs). Objective To examine whether the sex-specific pattern in lung cancer incidence rates differ by tumor sequence in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants Lung and bronchus (hereafter, lung) cancer diagnosed from 2001-2020 at ages 20 or older, stratified by sex and tumor sequence (first versus subsequent), were identified from the U.S Cancer Statistics Public Use Database. Main Outcome and Measures Age-standardized (2000 US standard population) incidence rates and female-to-male incidence rate ratio (IRRs) were calculated using SEER*Stat, overall and by age groups (20-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ years). Trends in incidence rates were quantified using Joinpoint program, estimating annual percent change (APC). Results From 2001-2020, there were 3,333,495 FPLC diagnoses and 961,130 SPLC diagnoses. For FPLC, the incidence rate in women was 28% lower than in men (57.7 versus 79.8 per 100,000; IRR=0.72, 95%CI=0.72-0.72) with the sex gap greater with increasing age from 0.96 (95%CI=0.95-0.97) in individuals aged 20-49 years to 0.69 (95%CI=0.69-0.70) in those aged 70 years or older. For SPLC, the incidence rate in women was 33% lower than in men (17 versus 25 per 100,000; IRR=0.67, 95%CI=0.67-0.68). However, the lower incidence of SPLC in women was seen only among people aged 60 or older. Intriguingly, the incidence rate of SPLC in women was twice as high as in men among those aged 20-49 years (0.83 versus 0.44 per 100,000; IRR=1.90, 95%CI=1.83-1.96) and 25% higher among those aged 50-59 years (11.05 versus 8.84 per 100,000; IRR=1.25, 95%CI=1.23-1.27). From 2001-2019, incidence rates of FPLC decreased for both men (1.88% to 3.45% per year) and women (1.23% to 2.24% per year), although the decrease began in 2006 in women. For SPLC, the incidence rate in men showed a 2.74% annual increase from 2001-2007, followed by a decrease (APC=-1.91%, 95%CI=-2.27 to -1.68) from 2012-2019, while the incidence rate in women exhibited a 4.05% annual increase from 2001-2009, followed by a continued increase at a slower pace (APC=0.48%, 95%CI=0.28-0.69). The rising trends in SPLC among women were primarily driven by those aged 50 or older. In particular, the incidence rate of SPLC among women aged 70 or older increased by 5.4% per year from 2001-2009, followed by a 0.92% annual increase from 2009-2019. Conclusion Sex-specific patterns in lung cancer incidence differ considerably between first versus subsequent primary lung cancer. The findings highlight variations in sex-specific exposures within different populations at risk such as the general population versus cancer survivors. Further research is needed to identify reasons for the female predominance of SPLC among young adults and the concerning rise of SPLC rates in women. Citation Format: Hyuna Sung, Chenxi Jiang, Priti Bandi, Elizabeth Schafer, Farhad Islami, Ahmedin Jemal. Incidence and trends in subsequent primary lung cancer by sex in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB378.

Characterizing Lung Cancer Burden Among Asian-American Communities in Philadelphia.

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer death among Asian-Americans. However, there are differences in LC incidence and mortality among Asian racial subgroups. The objective of this study was to describe LC burden and disparities among race/ethnic groups (White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic) across US census tracts (CT) in Philadelphia using the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry dataset (N=11,865). ArcGIS Pro was used to geocode patient addresses to the CT level for linkage to US Census data. Despite being diagnosed more frequently with advanced-stage lung cancer compared with other race and ethnic groups in Philadelphia, Asian patients were most likely to be alive at the time of data receipt. Among Asian subgroups, Korean patients were the oldest (median age 75, p=0.024). Although not statistically different, distant stage disease was the most prevalent among Asian Indian (77.8%) and Korean (73.7%) and the least prevalent among Chinese patients (49.5%). LC was the cause of death for 77.8% of Asian Indian, 63.2% of Korean, 52.9% of other Asian, 48.5% of Chinese, and 47.5% of Vietnamese patients. CTs where Asian individuals were concentrated had lower socioeconomic status and greater tobacco retailer density compared to the entire city. Compared to all of Philadelphia, heavily Asian CTs experienced a greater age-standardized LC incidence (1.48 vs. 1.42) but lower age-standardized LC mortality (1.13 vs. 1.22). Our study suggests that LC disparities exist among Asian subgroups, with Asian Indian and Korean Philadelphians most likely to present with advanced disease. Additional studies are needed to investigate LC among high-risk racial and ethnic groups, including Asian subgroups.

Using the Past to Understand the Future of U.S. and Global Smoking Disparities: A Birth Cohort Perspective

Using the Past to Understand the Future of U.S. and Global Smoking Disparities: A Birth Cohort Perspective

Significant Regional Differences in Lung Cancer Incidence in Hungary: Epidemiological Study Between 2011 and 2016.

Objective: Hungary has one of the highest incidences and mortality rates of lung cancer (LC), therefore the objective of this study was to analyse and compare LC incidence and mortality rates between the main Hungarian regions.Methods: This nationwide, retrospective study used data from the National Health Insurance Fund and included patients aged ≥20 years who were diagnosed with lung cancer (ICD-10 C34) between Jan 1, 2011 and Dec 31, 2016. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated and compared for the main regions.Results: The highest incidence rate in males was recorded in Northern Hungary (146.8/100,000 person-years [PY]), while the lowest rate was found in Western Transdanubia (94.7/100,000 PY in 2011). All rates showed a declining trend between 2011 and 2016, with the largest decrease in the Northern Great Plain (−20.0%; p = 0.008). LC incidence and mortality rates in women both showed a rising tendency in all regions of Hungary, reaching the highest in Central Hungary (59.86/100,000 PY in 2016). Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in males correlated with the level of education and smoking prevalence (p = 0.006 and p = 0.01, respectively) in the regions. A correlation with GDP per capita and Health Development Index (HDI) index could also be observed in the Hungarian regions, although these associations were not statistically significant. No correlations could be detected between these parameters among females.Conclusion: This analysis revealed considerable differences in the epidemiology of LC between the 7 main Hungarian regions. LC incidence and mortality rates significantly correlated with smoking and certain socioeconomic factors in men, but not in women. Further research is needed to explain the regional differences.

Geographic Differences in Lung Cancer Incidence: A Study of a Major Metropolitan Area within Southeastern Pennsylvania.

This study investigated the geographic variation and the clustering of lung cancer incidence rates in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas using addresses at the time of diagnosis. Using 60,844 cases from Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, we calculated and mapped the age-adjusted incidence rates for five Pennsylvania (PA) counties near Philadelphia between 1998–2007 and 2008–2017. We identified ZIP codes with significantly higher incidence rates than the state rates and examined their demographic and exposure characteristics. Further, we tested for spatial autocorrelation and identified spatial clusters using Moran’s I statistic. Our results showed that approximately one in four ZIP codes had an incidence rate that was significantly higher than the PA state rate in each period studied. Clusters of higher incidences were detected in the southeastern part of PA bordering New Jersey. These areas tended to be more populated, of lower socioeconomic status, and closer to manufacturing facilities and major highways. Possibly driven by the community and environmental factors, the observed differences in disease incidence suggest the importance of including residential location in risk assessment tools for lung cancer.

Changes in Black-White Difference in Lung Cancer Incidence among Young Adults.

BackgroundWe previously reported that lung cancer incidence between Blacks and Whites younger than 40 years of age converged in women and approached convergence in men. Whether this pattern has continued in contemporary young birth cohorts is unclear.MethodsWe examined 5-year age-specific lung cancer incidence in Blacks and Whites younger than 55 years of age by sex and calculated the Black-to-White incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and smoking prevalence ratios by birth cohort using nationwide incidence data from 1997 to 2016 and smoking data from 1970 to 2016 from the National Health Interview Survey.ResultsFive-year age-specific incidence decreased in successive Black and White men born since circa 1947 and women born since circa 1957, with the declines steeper in Blacks than Whites. Consequently, the Black-to-White IRRs became unity in men born 1967-1972 and reversed in women born since circa 1967. For example, the Black-to-White IRRs in ages 40-44 years born between 1957 and 1972 declined from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.82 to 2.03) to 1.03 (95% CI = 0.93 to 1.13) in men and from 1.32 (95% CI = 1.24 to 1.40) to 0.71 (95% CI = 0.64 to 0.78) in women. Similarly, the historically higher sex-specific smoking prevalence in Blacks than Whites disappeared in men and reversed in women born since circa 1965. The exception to these patterns is that the incidence became higher in Black men than White men born circa 1977-1982.ConclusionsThe historically higher lung cancer incidence in young Blacks than young Whites in the United States has disappeared in men and reversed in women, coinciding with smoking patterns, though incidence again became higher in Black men than White men born circa 1977-1982.

Drugs for preventing lung cancer in healthy people.

This is the second update of this Cochrane Review. Some studies have suggested a protective effect of antioxidant nutrients and higher dietary levels of fruits and vegetables on lung cancer. To determine whether vitamins and minerals and other potential agents, alone or in combination, reduce lung cancer incidence and lung cancer mortality in healthy populations. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase from 1974 to May 2019 and screened references included in published studies and reviews. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamins or mineral supplements with placebo, administered to healthy people with the aim of preventing lung cancer. Four review authors independently selected the trials to be included in the review, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data. For dichotomous outcomes we calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled results using the random-effects model. We assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane's 'Risk of bias' assessment tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. In this update, we identified three new trials for a total of 12 studies. Six analysed vitamin A, three vitamin C, three combined vitamin D3 + calcium, four vitamin E combined with other products, one selenium supplements and nine studied combinations of two or more products. Four studies included only men and five only women. Vitamin A results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.19; 5 RCTs, 212314 participants; high-certainty evidence) and lung cancer mortality (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.38; 3 RCTs, 190118 participants; high-certainty evidence). But in smokers or asbestos workers vitamin A increases the risk of lung cancer incidence (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.20; 3 RCTs, 43995 participants; high-certainty evidence), lung cancer mortality (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.38; 2 RCTs, 29426 participants; high-certainty evidence) and all-cause mortality (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.13; 2 RCTs, 32883 participants; high-certainty evidence). Vitamin A increases the risk of minor side effects, such as yellowing of the skin and minor gastrointestinal symptoms (high-certainty evidence). Vitamin C likely results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.67 to 2.49; 2 RCTs, 14953 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). In women, vitamin C increases the risk of lung cancer incidence (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.95; 1 RCT, 7627 participants; high-certainty evidence). In men, vitamin C results in little to no difference in mortality for lung cancer (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.23; 1 RCT, 7326 participants; high-certainty evidence). Vitamin D + calcium may result in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence in postmenopausal women (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.08; 3 RCTs, 37601 women; low-certainty evidence). Vitamin E results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.14; 3 RCTs, 36841 participants; high-certainty evidence) or to lung cancer mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.18; 2 RCTs, 29214 participants; high-certainty evidence), but increases the risk of haemorrhagic strokes (hazard ratio (HR), 1.74, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.91; 1 RCT, 14641 participants; high-certainty evidence). Calcium results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence in postmenopausal women (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.18; 1 RCT, 733 participants) or in risk of renal calculi (RR 1.94, 95% CI 0.20 to 18.57; 1 RCT, 733 participants; low-certainty evidence). Selenium in men results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.54; 1 RCT, 17448 participants; high-certainty evidence) and lung cancer mortality (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.66; 1 RCT, 17448 participants; high-certainty evidence) and increases the risk for grade 1 to 2 dermatitis (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.31; 1 RCT, 17448 participants; high-certainty evidence) and for alopecia (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.53; 1 RCT, 17448 participants; high-certainty evidence). The combination of vitamins A, C, E + selenium + zinc results in little to no difference in lung cancer incidence (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.48; 1 RCT, 12741 participants; high-certainty evidence). Well-designed RCTs have shown no beneficial effect of supplements for the prevention of lung cancer and lung cancer mortality in healthy people. Vitamin A supplements increase lung cancer incidence and mortality in smokers or persons exposed to asbestos. Vitamin C increases lung cancer incidence in women. Vitamin E increases the risk of haemorrhagic strokes.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Lung Cancer Incidence in the Multiethnic Cohort Study: An Update.

We previously found that African Americans and Native Hawaiians were at highest lung cancer risk compared with Japanese Americans and Latinos; whites were midway in risk. These differences were more evident at relatively low levels of smoking intensity, fewer than 20 cigarettes per day (CPD), than at higher intensity. We apportioned lung cancer risk into three parts: age-specific background risk (among never smokers), an excess relative risk term for cumulative smoking, and modifiers of the smoking effect: race and years-quit smoking. We also explored the effect of replacing self-reports of CPD with a urinary biomarker-total nicotine equivalents-using data from a urinary biomarker substudy. Total lung cancers increased from 1979 to 4993 compared to earlier analysis. Estimated excess relative risks for lung cancer due to smoking for 50 years at 10 CPD (25 pack-years) ranged from 21.9 (95% CI = 18.0 to 25.8) for Native Hawaiians to 8.0 (95% CI = 6.6 to 9.4) for Latinos over the five groups. The risk from smoking was higher for squamous cell carcinomas and small cell cancers than for adenocarcinomas. Racial differences consistent with earlier patterns were seen for overall cancer and for cancer subtypes. Adjusting for predicted total nicotine equivalents, Japanese Americans no longer exhibit a lower risk, and African Americans are no longer at higher risk, compared to whites. Striking risk differences between Native Hawaiians and Latinos persist. Racial differences in lung cancer risk persist in the Multiethnic Cohort study that are not easily explained by variations in self-reported or urinary biomarker-measured smoking intensities.

Oral bisphosphonate use and lung cancer incidence among postmenopausal women

BackgroundBisphosphonates are common medications for the treatment of osteoporosis in older populations. Several studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), have found inverse associations of bisphosphonate use with risk of breast and endometrial cancer, but little is known about its association with other common malignancies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of bisphosphonate use on the incidence of lung cancer in the WHI. Patients and methodsThe association between oral bisphosphonate use and lung cancer risk was examined in 151 432 postmenopausal women enrolled into the WHI in 1993–1998. At baseline and during follow-up, participants completed an inventory of regularly used medications including bisphosphonates. ResultsAfter a mean follow-up of 13.3 years, 2511 women were diagnosed with incident lung cancer. There was no evidence of a difference in lung cancer incidence between oral bisphosphonate users and never users (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence intervals, 0.80–1.04; P = 0.16). However, an inverse association was observed among those who were never smokers (hazard ratio = 0.57, 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.84; P < 0.01). ConclusionIn this large prospective cohort of postmenopausal women, oral bisphosphonate use was associated with significantly lower lung cancer risk among never smokers, suggesting bisphosphonates may have a protective effect against lung cancer. Additional studies are needed to confirm our findings.

A statewide investigation of geographic lung cancer incidence patterns and radon exposure in a low-smoking population

BackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Utah despite having the nation’s lowest smoking rate. Radon exposure and differences in lung cancer incidence between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas may explain this phenomenon. We compared smoking-adjusted lung cancer incidence rates between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties by predicted indoor radon level, sex, and cancer stage. We also compared lung cancer incidence by county classification between Utah and all SEER sites.MethodsSEER*Stat provided annual age-adjusted rates per 100,000 from 1991 to 2010 for each Utah county and all other SEER sites. County classification, stage, and sex were obtained from SEER*Stat. Smoking was obtained from Environmental Public Health Tracking estimates by Ortega et al. EPA provided low (< 2 pCi/L), moderate (2–4 pCi/L), and high (> 4 pCi/L) indoor radon levels for each county. Poisson models calculated overall, cancer stage, and sex-specific rates and p-values for smoking-adjusted and unadjusted models. LOESS smoothed trend lines compared incidence rates between Utah and all SEER sites by county classification.ResultsAll metropolitan counties had moderate radon levels; 12 (63%) of the 19 nonmetropolitan counties had moderate predicted radon levels and 7 (37%) had high predicted radon levels. Lung cancer incidence rates were higher in nonmetropolitan counties than metropolitan counties (34.8 vs 29.7 per 100,000, respectively). Incidence of distant stage cancers was significantly higher in nonmetropolitan counties after controlling for smoking (16.7 vs 15.4, p = 0.02*). Incidence rates in metropolitan, moderate radon and nonmetropolitan, moderate radon counties were similar. Nonmetropolitan, high radon counties had a significantly higher incidence of lung cancer compared to nonmetropolitan, moderate radon counties after adjustment for smoking (41.7 vs 29.2, p < 0.0001*). Lung cancer incidence patterns in Utah were opposite of metropolitan/nonmetropolitan trends in other SEER sites.ConclusionLung cancer incidence and distant stage incidence rates were consistently higher in nonmetropolitan Utah counties than metropolitan counties, suggesting that limited access to preventative screenings may play a role in this disparity. Smoking-adjusted incidence rates in nonmetropolitan, high radon counties were significantly higher than moderate radon counties, suggesting that radon was also major contributor to lung cancer in these regions. National studies should account for geographic and environmental factors when examining nonmetropolitan/metropolitan differences in lung cancer.

Lung cancer incidence and the strength of municipal smoke-free ordinances.

Smoke-free laws reduce disease prevalence. The impact of municipal smoke-free laws on lung cancer incidence in Kentucky was examined. The authors hypothesized that lung cancer incidence rates would be associated with the strength of smoke-free laws. This was a secondary analysis of 83,727 Kentucky residents aged ≥ 50 years who were newly diagnosed with lung cancer from 1995 to 2014. In 2014, 33 municipalities had 1 or more smoke-free laws. County-level characteristics included adult smoking rate, sex, race/ethnicity, income, physician supply, observed radon values, and rurality. Individuals living in communities with comprehensive smoke-free laws were 7.9% less likely than those living in communities without smoke-free protections to be diagnosed with lung cancer. The difference in lung cancer incidence between counties with moderate/weak laws and those without laws was not significant. Comprehensive smoke-free laws were associated with fewer new cases of lung cancer, whereas weak or moderate smoke-free laws did not confer the same benefit. One hundred percent smoke-free laws, covering all workers and the public with few or no exceptions, may be key in reducing new cases of lung cancer. Cancer 2018;124:374-80. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Quantifying the mediating effects of smoking and occupational exposures in the relation between education and lung cancer: the ICARE study.

Smoking only partly explains the higher lung cancer incidence observed among socially deprived people. Occupational exposures may account for part of these inequalities, but this issue has been little investigated. We investigated the extent to which smoking and occupational exposures to asbestos, silica and diesel motor exhaust mediated the association between education and lung cancer incidence in men. We analyzed data from a large French population-based case-control study (1976 lung cancers, 2648 controls). Detailed information on lifelong tobacco consumption and occupational exposures to various carcinogens was collected. We conducted inverse probability-weighted marginal structural models. A strong association was observed between education and lung cancer. The indirect effect through smoking varied by educational level, with the strongest indirect effect observed for those with the lowest education (OR=1.34 (1.14-1.57)). The indirect effect through occupational exposures was substantial among men with primary (OR=1.22 (1.15-1.30) for asbestos and silica) or vocational secondary education (OR=1.18 (1.12-1.25)). The contribution of smoking to educational differences in lung cancer incidence ranged from 22% (10-34) for men with primary education to 31% (-3 to 84) for men with a high school degree. The contribution of occupational exposures to asbestos and silica ranged from 15% (10-20) for men with a high school degree to 20% (13-28) for men with vocational secondary education. Our results highlight the urgent need for public health policies that aim at decreasing exposure to carcinogens at work, in addition to tobacco control policies, if we want to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in the cancer field.

Abstract IA03: Lung cancer risk in African Americans: Familial aggregation and genetic susceptibility

Abstract IA03: Lung cancer risk in African Americans: Familial aggregation and genetic susceptibility

Differences in Active and Passive Smoking Exposures and Lung Cancer Incidence Between Veterans and Non-Veterans in the Women's Health Initiative.

Women Veterans may have higher rates of both active and passive tobacco exposure than their civilian counterparts, thereby increasing their risk for lung cancer. To compare differences in active and passive smoking exposure and lung cancer incidence among women Veterans and non-Veterans using prospective data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). We used data from the WHI, which collected longitudinal demographic, clinical, and laboratory data on 161,808 postmenopausal women. We employed linear and multinomial regression and generalized linear models to compare active and passive smoking exposure between Veterans and non-Veterans and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate differences in lung cancer incidence rates. After adjustment, Veterans had 2.54 additional pack years of smoking compared with non-Veterans (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68, 3.40). Veterans also had a 1% increase in risk of any passive smoking exposure (95% CI 1.00, 1.02) and a 9% increase in risk of any workplace exposure (95% CI 1.07, 1.11) compared with non-Veterans. After adjustment for age and smoking exposures, Veterans did not have a higher risk of lung cancer compared with non-Veterans (relative risk = 1.06 95% CI 0.86, 1.30). Women Veterans had higher rates of tobacco use and exposure to passive smoking, which were associated with a higher risk for lung cancer compared with non-Veterans. Clinicians who care for Veterans need to be aware that older women Veterans have more exposures to risk factors for lung cancer.

Racial and Ethnic Variations in Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Results From the Women's Health Initiative.

This study aimed to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in lung cancer incidence and mortality in the Women's Health Initiative Study, a longitudinal prospective cohort evaluation of postmenopausal women recruited from 40 clinical centers. Lung cancer diagnoses were centrally adjudicated by pathology review. Baseline survey questionnaires collected sociodemographic and health information. Logistic regression models estimated incidence and mortality odds by race/ethnicity adjusted for age, education, calcium/vitamin D, body mass index, smoking (status, age at start, duration, and pack-years), alcohol, family history, oral contraceptive, hormones, physical activity, and diet. The cohort included 129,951 women--108,487 (83%) non-Hispanic white (NHW); 10,892 (8%) non-Hispanic black (NHB); 4,882 (4%) Hispanic; 3,696 (3%) Asian/Pacific Islander (API); 534 (< 1%) American Indian/Alaskan Native; and 1,994 (1%) other. In unadjusted models, Hispanics had 66% lower odds of lung cancer compared with NHW (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.5), followed by API (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.75) and NHB (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.95). In fully adjusted multivariable models, the decreased lung cancer risk for Hispanic compared with NHW women attenuated to the null (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.99). In unadjusted models Hispanic and API women had decreased risk of death compared with NHW women (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.15 to 0.62] and 0.34 [95% CI, 0.16 to 0.75, respectively); however, no racial/ethnic differences were found in risk of lung cancer death in fully adjusted models. Differences in lung cancer incidence and mortality are associated with sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors. These findings suggest modifiable exposures and behaviors may contribute to differences in incidence of and mortality by race/ethnicity for postmenopausal women. Interventions focused on these factors may reduce racial/ethnic differences in lung cancer incidence and mortality.

Cancer-Related News from the CDC

Cancer-Related News from the CDC

Lung cancer incidence in Singapore: Ethnic and gender differences

ObjectivesLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Singapore. We examine trends of lung cancer from 1968 to 2007, explore ethnic and gender-specific incidence rates, and examine period and cohort effects in Chinese and Malays using Age-Period-Cohort (APC) analysis. MethodsAggregated data for cancer incidences and estimated person-years for the period 1968–2007 were obtained from the Singapore Cancer Registry. An APC analysis was performed using a Poisson regression model. ResultsLung cancer incidence rates were more than two times higher in males compared to females, and also higher in Chinese compared to Malays and Indians. While rates in Chinese men, and, to a lesser extent, Chinese women, had been declining since the early 1980s, rates in Malay men continued to increase. The full APC model described the cancer trend in Chinese males, Chinese females and Malay males, while an age-drift model described the cancer trend in Malay females. Among Chinese males, Chinese females and Malay males, there was no clear pattern to the period curvature effects, although similar cohort curvatures were seen, with positive curvature effects in older cohorts that declined towards zero and negative effects in younger cohorts. ConclusionThere are strong gender and ethnic differences in lung cancer incidence in Singapore. Differences in smoking rates and differential ethnic effects of smoking may explain some but not all of these differences. The similar cohort curvatures suggest that environmental factors in Singapore occurring in the past but no longer present at similar intensity or frequency may explain the positive deviation from a linear trend. Apart from smoking, other environmental factors such as changes in diet, improved sanitation and ventilation, and declines in infectious diseases like tuberculosis may play a role.

Antiestrogen use and survival of women with non-small cell lung cancer in Manitoba, Canada.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Sex differences in lung cancer incidence and survival are known. Female sex is an independent good prognostic factor. Estrogens appear to play a key role in lung cancer outcomes. Accordingly, antiestrogen use may also influence survival in female non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In this study, we compared survival among antiestrogen users and nonusers. We performed a retrospective population-based study. Using the Manitoba Cancer Registry (MCR), we identified all women diagnosed with NSCLC from 2000 to 2007. The population-based Drug Program Information Network was accessed to establish which patients received antiestrogens. Demographic data (e.g., smoking patterns, stage, histology) were gathered from the MCR and by chart review. Survival differences between antiestrogen-exposed and not exposed groups were compared using multivariable Cox regression. Two thousand three hundred twenty women fit our patient criteria, of which 156 had received antiestrogens. Exposure to antiestrogens was associated with a significantly decreased mortality in those exposed both before and after the diagnosis of NSCLC (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.42, p = 0.0006). This association remained consistent across age and stage groups. Antiestrogen use before and after the diagnosis of NSCLC is associated with decreased mortality. This supports previous evidence that estrogens may play a key role in the biology and outcomes of NSCLC and suggests a potential therapeutic use for these agents in this disease.