The relationship of lung cancer with menstrual and reproductive factors may be influenced by passive smoking, cooking oil fumes, and tea intake

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of menstrual and reproductive factors with risk of lung cancer in women. Potential etiological clues related to lung cancer in women are identified to inform preventive strategies.Case–control study of 477 newly diagnosed women with lung cancer and 479 age-matched (±2 years) controls. Data on menstrual and reproductive factors and history of oral contraceptive use were obtained on personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. Risk factors were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression analysis.Maternal age ≥25 years at first birth appeared to protect against female lung cancer [odds ratios (ORs): 0.511, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.376–0.693]. Age at menopause > 50 years and use of contraceptives was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in women (OR: 1.471, 95% CI, 1.021–2.119 and OR: 1.844, 95% CI: 1.111–3.061, respectively). Age ≥13 years at menarche was associated with a decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma (OR: 0.563, 95% CI, 0.317–0.997). There was significant heterogeneity in the levels of cooking oil fume (COF) exposure (Pheterogeneity = .015). Higher levels of exposure to passive smoking, COF, and lack of tea intake were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.Menstrual and reproductive factors are considered to play a role in the development of lung cancer in women. Exposure to passive smoking, COF, and lack of tea intake appeared to significantly modify the relationship.

Tobacco Smoking Modifies the Association between Hormonal Factors and Lung Cancer Occurrence among Post-Menopausal Chinese Women

“…In our JFC Study, a menarche age greater than 18 years old could be a marker of poor childhood nutritional status, which has long-term adverse influence on health [23], [43], [44]. This increased risk by later menarche was also found in six other studies conducted among Chinese women [23], [25], [27], [45], [46], [47] although there was one study with potentially decreased risk linked to late menarche [22].…”

“…Among these patients with known histology information, 65% of the NSCLC cases were adenocarcinoma. Among other studies conducted in China, lung cancer histology was largely dominated by adenocarcinoma, accounting for 61% to 73% of all female lung cancer diagnoses [22], [51]. East Asian patients show a much higher prevalence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, compared with Caucasian patients with NSCLC (approximately 30% vs. 7%, predominantly among patients with adenocarcinoma and never-smokers), thus showing a higher proportion of patients who are responsive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) [28], [52].…”

“…Between 1/1/1988 and 7/31/2018, there were a total of 27 epidemiologic studies [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27] that tested for associations between hormonal factors and risk of lung cancer. A meta-analysis [26] showed a statistically significant decreased risk of lung cancer with older age at menarche among Caucasian-dominated North American female populations.…”

“…The results from epidemiologic studies on hormonal factors and the risk of lung cancer [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27] were generally inconsistent [28]. In order to improve the validity and precision in the investigation of the associations between menstrual/reproductive history and the risk of lung cancer, and to investigate the effect modification by smoking status, we conducted the present analysis using data from the Jiangsu Four Cancers (JFC) Study.…”

Fixed Ratio Versus Lower Limit of Normal: Health Status and Risk Factors for COPD Overdiagnosis

“…We further found that exposure to cooking oil fumes and to a new-built or newly renovated home in the past year were associated with an increased risk of overdiagnosed COPD. Previous studies reported that cooking oil fumes without cigarette smoking were associated with pulmonary disease, particularly lung cancer, 30,31 which indicates the negative effect of cooking oil fumes on the lungs. Similarly, indoor air pollutants from building materials in a new-built or newly renovated home, mainly formalin and volatile organic compounds, were associated with an increased risk of COPD.…”