Lung cancer risk among Czech women:: A case-control study

Background. Few data are available to explain the ongoing increase in lung cancer mortality among Czech women. The study is aimed at examining the role of smoking and known or suspected cofactors. Methods. Data collected by in-person interviews from 269 female lung cancer cases and 1079 controls were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression and other methods. Results. Cigarette smoking was the most important factor associated with excess risk of lung cancer among women. Risk was increased both among current smokers (OR = 10.30), long-term ex-smokers ( greater than or equal to10 years ago; OR = 3.79), and short-term ex-smokers (<10 years ago; OR = 14.63), all compared against never-smokers. In addition, significant associations with risk were found for chronic cough, chronic phlegm of less than 2-year duration, and shortness of breath. Inverse associations emerged for physical exercise and body mass index. Excess risk associated with consumption of red meat and poultry, and protective effects associated with intake of vegetables were restricted to squamous-, small-, and large-cell cancers combined, but were not apparent for adenocarcinoma. Conclusions. While smoking has been verified to be the main determinant of lung cancer risk among Czech women, cofactors such as diet, history of lung disease, and lifestyle factors may have a contributory role. (C) 2002 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Science (USA).