Lifestyle, Environmental, Occupational, and Dietary Risk Factors in Small-Cell vs. Non-Small-Cell Advanced Lung Cancer Patients: Is There a Connection?

Jelena Jovičić-Bata ¹, Danica Sazdanić-Velikić ², Mirjana Ševo ^3,4

⁰Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.

Cancers +

|

March 13, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, particularly small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, face significant exposure to lifestyle, environmental, and occupational risk factors. Understanding these exposures is crucial for targeted interventions and prevention strategies.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Environmental Health
Epidemiology

Background

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.
Identifying specific risk factors for different lung cancer subtypes is essential for effective prevention and treatment.
Previous research has highlighted smoking as a primary risk factor, but other environmental and lifestyle influences require further investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the exposure of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients to various lifestyle, environmental, occupational, and dietary risk factors.
To compare the exposure profiles of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to these risk factors.

Main Methods

A survey was conducted with 205 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients (IIIB/IV stage) in Vojvodina, Serbia.
Data collected included demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures.
Patients were categorized into SCLC and NSCLC groups for comparative analysis.

Main Results

The majority of patients were long-term heavy smokers.
Small-cell lung cancer patients exhibited higher body mass index values compared to non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
Women reported higher stress levels; women with lung adenocarcinoma had greater exposure to traffic pollution.
Indoor coal combustion was more prevalent among SCLC patients.
Men consumed more canned foods, a potential source of endocrine disruptors.
Occupational exposures, beyond smoking, appear critical in lung cancer development.

Conclusions

Environmental and occupational risk factors play a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of specific lung cancer types.
Urgent further research is needed to elucidate these complex relationships.
Findings underscore the need for comprehensive risk factor assessment in lung cancer patients.

Keywords:

dietary habits environmental pollution lifestyle lung cancer occupational exposure

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