Preventable risk factors for nasal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine preventable risk factors for cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in the United States, we analyzed data from the population-based, case-control Selected Cancers Study.


METHODS
Cases were men born between 1929 and 1953 who were diagnosed with primary nasal cancer between 1984 and 1988 and identified from population-based cancer registries; we narrowed the cohort to 70 subjects whose diagnosis of nasal cancer was confirmed by pathology review. All living controls interviewed for the Selected Cancers Study were included as the comparison group (n = 1910); they were recruited by random-digit dial telephone and were frequency-matched to the lymphoma cases of the Selected Cancers Study by geographic area and age. Both cases and controls were interviewed by telephone.


RESULTS
Logistic regression analyses showed that cases were 2.5 times more likely than controls to have smoked cigarettes [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-5.3], and 2.2 times more likely to have worked in selected occupations, including lawn care, forestry, and maintenance of highway right-of-way areas (CI = 1.2-3.7). These occupations may cause workers to be exposed to pesticides or herbicides. The population attributable risk (PAR) was 53% for having ever smoked cigarettes.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results suggest that among U.S. men, some nasal cancer may be preventable by avoiding cigarette smoking.
Caplan
L S
LS
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Hall
H I
HI
Levine
R S
RS
Zhu
K
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention