Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with never-smoking status in patients with lung cancer: findings from a large integrated health system

Abstract

Background: Evidence is limited characterizing sociodemographically diverse patient populations with lung cancer in relation to smoking status.Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis of adults diagnosed with lung cancer at ages ≥30 years from 2007-2018 within an integrated healthcare system, overall and sex-specific prevalence of never smoking were estimated according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were also estimated using modified Poisson regression to identify patient characteristics associated with never smoking, overall and by sex. Similar analyses were conducted to explore whether prevalence and association patterns differed between non-Hispanic White and Asian/Pacific Islander patients.

Is lung cancer in never smokers still an unknown disease?

“…In line with the available evidence ( 10 , 11 ), Banks et al ( 1 ) found that women diagnosed of lung cancer are more likely to be never-smokers in comparison to men. It is also noteworthy that this difference is maintained in almost all age groups, races/ethnicities and histological types of lung cancer, as seen in other investigation ( 7 ).…”

“…Banks et al ( 1 ) concluded in their study with important sociodemographic and clinical disparities in subjects diagnosed with lung cancer depending on their smoking status. Banks et al found that never-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer were more frequently women, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanic patients and had adenocarcinoma or carcinoid tumours.…”

“…We also know that lung cancer does not have the same characteristics in smokers as in never-smokers. In the current issue of Translational Cancer Research , Banks et al ( 1 ) highlighted these differences in a cross-sectional analysis of almost 18,000 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2007 and 2018, which are representative of the general population in Northern California [United States (US)]. The authors combined data from a cancer registry with electronic health records as the main data sources for their study.…”

“…In addition to differences by sex, Banks et al ( 1 ) conclude that there are also differences by race/ethnicity, level of deprivation of the neighbourhood and histological type at diagnosis. These findings are supported by the results of other studies conducted in different countries.…”

“…Banks et al ( 1 ) observed that there is a higher prevalence of never smoking lung cancer cases in wealthier areas. This is mainly due to the lower tobacco consumption in such population but not to the presence of other risk factors of lung cancer (i.e., occupation, environmental tobacco smoke or higher environmental pollution).…”