Occupational risk factors for lung cancer among nonsmoking women: a case-control study in Missouri (United States).
Occupationally related risk of lung cancer among women and among nonsmokers has not been widely studied. A recently conducted population-based, case-control study in Missouri (United States) provided the opportunity to evaluate risk of lung cancer associated with several occupational factors. Incident cases (n = 429) were identified through the Missouri Cancer Registry for the period 1986 through 1991, and included 294 lifetime nonsmokers and 135 ex-smokers who had stopped at least 15 years prior to diagnosis or had smoked for less than one pack-year. Controls (n = 1,021) were selected through driver's license and Medicare files. Risk was elevated among women exposed to asbestos (ever: odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-10.0; > 9 yrs: OR = 4.6, CI = 1.1-19.2) and pesticides (ever: OR = 2.4, CI = 1.1-5.6; > 17.5 yrs: OR = 2.4, CI = 0.8-7.0). Risk also was elevated among dry cleaning workers (ever: OR = 1.8, CI = 1.1-3.0; > 1.125 yrs: OR = 2.9, CI = 1.5-5.4). Occupational risks for lung cancer among women merit further study.
Brownson
R C
RC
Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Missouri Department of Health, Columbia 65203.
Alavanja
M C
MC
Chang
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007846:Laundering; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors
D010575:Pesticides; D001194:Asbestos