Lifestyle, occupational, and reproductive factors in relation to pancreatic cancer risk.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the epidemiology of pancreatic cancer in Egypt.


METHODS
We obtained detailed information on smoking, occupational, medical, and reproductive histories from 194 pancreatic cancer cases and 194 controls.


RESULTS
Compared with not smoking, smoking cigarettes alone or in conjunction with other smoking methods (eg, water pipe, cigar) was associated with an increased risk (odds ratio [OR], 4.5 and 7.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.9-10.7 and 3.0-20.6, respectively). Passive smoking was also a significant risk factor (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 2.4-14.8). The risk of pancreatic cancer was elevated among subjects exposed to pesticides (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 0.97-7.2). A prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus for a period of 10 years was associated with higher risk (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.5-19.9). For women, having 7 or more live births and lactating for 144 months or longer were associated with a reduced risk (OR, 0.5 and 0.2; 95% CI, 0.2-1.3 and 0.1-0.9, respectively). No association was found between family history, allergy, or obesity and pancreatic cancer in Egypt.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple tobacco consumption methods, passive smoking, pesticide exposures, and diabetes are associated with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Prolonged lactation and increased parity are associated with a reduced risk for pancreatic cancer.
Lo
An-Chi
AC
Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Soliman
Amr S
AS
El-Ghawalby
Nabih
N
Abdel-Wahab
Mohamed
M
Fathy
Omar
O
Khaled
Hussein M
HM
Omar
Sherif
S
Hamilton
Stanley R
SR
Greenson
Joel K
JK
Abbruzzese
James L
JL
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution