© 2004 by Oxford University Press
© 2004 Oxford University Press
ARTICLE |
Lung Cancer Rates in Men and Women With Comparable Histories of Smoking
Affiliations of authors: School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (CB); Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, England (CB); Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (DF, FES, BAR, GAC); American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA (MT); Departments of Environmental Health (FES), Epidemiology (EH, GAC), and Biostatistics (BAR), and Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention (GAC), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston
Correspondence to: Diane Feskanich, ScD, Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 (e-mail: diane.feskanich{at}channing.harvard.edu)
Background: Recent case–control studies suggest that, given equal smoking exposure, women may have a higher relative risk of developing lung cancer than men. Despite prospective data that conflict with this hypothesis, mechanistic studies to find a biologic basis for a sex difference continue. Methods: We addressed the hypothesis directly by analyzing prospective data from former and current smokers in two large cohorts—the Nurses’ Health Study of women and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study of men. We calculated incidence rates and hazard ratios of lung cancer in women compared with men, adjusting for age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, age at start of smoking, and time since quitting, using Cox proportional hazards models. We also reviewed published results from prospective analyses. Results: From 1986 through 2000, 955 and 311 primary lung cancers were identified among 60 296 women and 25 397 men, respectively, who ranged in age from 40 to 79 years. Incidence rates per 100 000 person-years for women and men were 253 and 232, respectively, among current smokers and 81 and 73, respectively, among former smokers. The hazard ratio in women ever smokers compared with men was 1.11 (95% confidence interval = 0.95 to 1.31). Six published prospective cohort studies allowed assessment of comparative susceptibility to lung cancer by sex. None supported an excess risk of lung cancer for women. Conclusions: Women do not appear to have a greater susceptibility to lung cancer than men, given equal smoking exposure. Research should be focused on enhancing preventive interventions for all.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
Correspondence about this Article
- Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer?
- Harvey A. Risch and Anthony B. Miller
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 1560.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- RESPONSE: Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer?
- William J. Blot and Joseph K. McLaughlin
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 1560-1561.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- RESPONSE: Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer?
- Chris Bain
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 1561.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Editorial about this Article
- Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer?
- William J. Blot and Joseph K. McLaughlin
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 812-813.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S A Kenfield, E K Wei, M J Stampfer, B A Rosner, and G A Colditz Comparison of aspects of smoking among the four histological types of lung cancer Tob. Control, June 1, 2008; 17(3): 198 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. J. Alberg, J. G. Ford, and J. M. Samet Epidemiology of Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition) Chest, September 1, 2007; 132(3_suppl): 29S - 55S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Ben-Zaken Cohen, P. D. Pare, S. F. P. Man, and D. D. Sin The Growing Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer in Women: Examining Sex Differences in Cigarette Smoke Metabolism Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 15, 2007; 176(2): 113 - 120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Dubey and C. A. Powell Update in Lung Cancer 2006 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2007; 175(9): 868 - 874. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Chen, S. Lam, A. Pilon, A. McWilliams, J. Melby, and E. Szabo The Association between the Anti-inflammatory Protein CC10 and Smoking Status among Participants in a Chemoprevention Trial Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., March 1, 2007; 16(3): 577 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. R. Smith and P. A. Leggat An international review of tobacco smoking research in the nursing profession, 1976-2006 Journal of Research in Nursing, March 1, 2007; 12(2): 165 - 181. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. A. Wakelee, E. T. Chang, S. L. Gomez, T. H. Keegan, D. Feskanich, C. A. Clarke, L. Holmberg, L. C. Yong, L. N. Kolonel, M. K. Gould, et al. Lung Cancer Incidence in Never Smokers J. Clin. Oncol., February 10, 2007; 25(5): 472 - 478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Boffetta, R. E. Tarone, and W. J. Blot Survival in Women After Diagnosis of Lung Cancer JAMA, January 10, 2007; 297(2): 153 - 153. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. B. Bach Survival in Women After Diagnosis of Lung Cancer JAMA, January 10, 2007; 297(2): 153 - 153. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. S. Miettinen and C. I. Henschke Survival in Women After Diagnosis of Lung Cancer--Reply JAMA, January 10, 2007; 297(2): 153 - 154. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-i. Nitadori, M. Inoue, M. Iwasaki, T. Otani, S. Sasazuki, K. Nagai, S. Tsugane, and the JPHC Study Group Association Between Lung Cancer Incidence and Family History of Lung Cancer: Data From a Large-Scale Population-Based Cohort Study, the JPHC Study. Chest, October 1, 2006; 130(4): 968 - 975. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Gray The consequences of the unregulated cigarette. Tob. Control, October 1, 2006; 15(5): 405 - 408. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. I. Neugut and J. S. Jacobson Women and lung cancer: gender equality at a crossroad? JAMA, July 12, 2006; 296(2): 218 - 219. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Boffetta, S. Clark, M. Shen, R. Gislefoss, R. Peto, and A. Andersen Serum cotinine level as predictor of lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2006; 15(6): 1184 - 1188. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J. Thun, S. J. Henley, D. Burns, A. Jemal, T. G. Shanks, and E. E. Calle Lung cancer death rates in lifelong nonsmokers. J Natl Cancer Inst, May 17, 2006; 98(10): 691 - 699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. E. Vollset, A. Tverdal, and H. K. Gjessing Smoking and deaths between 40 and 70 years of age in women and men. Ann Intern Med, March 21, 2006; 144(6): 381 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. K. Ganti, A. E. Sahmoun, A. W. Panwalkar, K. K. Tendulkar, and A. Potti Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Associated With Decreased Survival in Women With Lung Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., January 1, 2006; 24(1): 59 - 63. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. L. Stelck, G. L. Baker, K. M. Sutherland, and L. S. Van Winkle ESTROUS CYCLE ALTERS NAPHTHALENE METABOLISM IN FEMALE MOUSE AIRWAYS Drug Metab. Dispos., November 1, 2005; 33(11): 1597 - 1602. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. MacMahon, J. H. M. Austin, G. Gamsu, C. J. Herold, J. R. Jett, D. P. Naidich, E. F. Patz Jr, and S. J. Swensen Guidelines for Management of Small Pulmonary Nodules Detected on CT Scans: A Statement from the Fleischner Society Radiology, November 1, 2005; 237(2): 395 - 400. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Airoldi, P. Vineis, A. Colombi, L. Olgiati, C. Dell'Osta, R. Fanelli, L. Manzi, F. Veglia, H. Autrup, A. Dunning, et al. 4-Aminobiphenyl-Hemoglobin Adducts and Risk of Smoking-Related Disease in Never Smokers and Former Smokers in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Prospective Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2005; 14(9): 2118 - 2124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Thomas, L. A. Doyle, and M. J. Edelman Lung Cancer in Women: Emerging Differences in Epidemiology, Biology, and Therapy Chest, July 1, 2005; 128(1): 370 - 381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S Wasswa-Kintu, W Q Gan, S F P Man, P D Pare, and D D Sin Relationship between reduced forced expiratory volume in one second and the risk of lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis Thorax, July 1, 2005; 60(7): 570 - 575. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Alberg, M. V. Brock, and J. M. Samet Epidemiology of Lung Cancer: Looking to the Future J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2005; 23(14): 3175 - 3185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. D. Patel Lung Cancer in Women J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2005; 23(14): 3212 - 3218. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. D. Hazelton, M. S. Clements, and S. H. Moolgavkar Multistage Carcinogenesis and Lung Cancer Mortality in Three Cohorts Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., May 1, 2005; 14(5): 1171 - 1181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Marrogi, L. E. Mechanic, J. A. Welsh, E. D. Bowman, M. A. Khan, L. Enewold, P. G. Shields, and C. C. Harris TP53 Mutation Spectrum in Lung Cancer Is Not Different in Women and Men Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2005; 14(4): 1031 - 1033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. A. Risch and A. B. Miller Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer? J Natl Cancer Inst, October 20, 2004; 96(20): 1560 - 1560. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Bain RESPONSE: Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer? J Natl Cancer Inst, October 20, 2004; 96(20): 1561 - 1561. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. J. Blot and J. K. McLaughlin RESPONSE: Re: Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer? J Natl Cancer Inst, October 20, 2004; 96(20): 1560 - 1561. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Minerva BMJ, August 7, 2004; 329(7461): 358 - 358. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Smoking and Lung Cancer Risk: Gender Equality Journal Watch Women's Health, July 20, 2004; 2004(720): 4 - 4. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. J. Blot and J. K. McLaughlin Are Women More Susceptible to Lung Cancer? J Natl Cancer Inst, June 2, 2004; 96(11): 812 - 813. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|