Lung cancer in young women in southern Sweden: A descriptive study

Lung cancer, a common malignancy and cause of cancer-related deaths, is strongly linked to several environmental exposures, and thus primarily affects the elderly. Formerly a man's disease, its incidence is rising among women, and lung cancer is now more common in women than men in Sweden. Women are particularly over-represented among young patients. While overall cancer mortality in Europe is decreasing, female lung cancer mortality is increasing.

We describe the epidemiological presentation of lung cancer in young Swedish women, aiming to pinpoint its risk factors for young women.

1159 women with newly diagnosed lung cancer in southern Sweden 1997-2015 answered questionnaires on their lifestyles and personal and family medical histories. We identified those below age 50.

70 (6.0%) of 1159 women were below age 50. Most (n = 49, 70.0%) were aged 45-50; eight (11.4%) were below age 40. The most common lung cancer subtype was adenocarcinoma (n = 33, 47.1%). 12.9% (n = 9) had carcinoid tumors. Most women reported both first- and second-hand tobacco smoke exposure (n = 54, 77.1%); 2.9% (n = 2) reported neither. 17.1% (n = 12) were never-smokers. 34.3% (n = 24) reported frequent X-ray radiation exposure. 78.6% reported at least one near relative with cancer. 25.7% reported relatives with lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains rare in young women, and tobacco smoke exposure is the single greatest risk factor, even for never-smokers. Thus, avoiding tobacco smoke exposure remains the most important preventive measure against lung cancer for young women in Sweden and elsewhere.