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Risk factors associated with lung cancer in Hong Kong
Moira Chan-Yeung1, L C Koo, J C-M Ho
1Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 4/F, Professorial Block, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. mmwchan@hkucc.hku.hk
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|April 25, 2003
Summary
Smoking is a major lung cancer risk factor, but its impact is decreasing in Hong Kong. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), occupational exposures, and education level are significant risk factors, especially for women.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Lung cancer remains a significant public health concern globally and in Hong Kong.
- The etiology of lung cancer is multifactorial, with smoking historically being the dominant risk factor.
- Understanding evolving risk factor profiles is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current risk factors for lung cancer in Hong Kong.
- To assess the changing influence of smoking and identify other significant etiological factors.
- To provide updated epidemiological data for public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 331 lung cancer patients and 331 matched controls.
- Data collection through detailed questionnaires administered by trained interviewers.
- Statistical analysis including calculation of adjusted odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for various exposures.
Main Results:
- Smoking's attributable risk (AR) for lung cancer has decreased significantly since the 1980s (45.8% in men, 6.2% in women).
- For women, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and lower education levels were independent risk factors (OR 3.60 and 2.41, respectively).
- For men, insecticide/pesticide/herbicide exposure, ETS, and family history were significant risk factors (ORs 3.29, 2.43, and 2.37, respectively).
- Incense burning and frying fumes were not significant risk factors; dietary fat showed mixed associations by sex.
Conclusions:
- The declining prevalence of smoking has reduced its overall contribution to lung cancer incidence in Hong Kong.
- Environmental, occupational, and socioeconomic factors are increasingly important in the etiology of lung cancer.
- Public health efforts should address these emerging risk factors alongside continued smoking cessation initiatives.