title: Family history of cancer and tobacco exposure in index cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
abstract: Aim. To examine interaction between history of cancer in first-degree relatives and tobacco smoking in index patients of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods. We carried out a case-control involving 113 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 110 controls over a 12-month period at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. They were all administered a detailed tobacco exposure questionnaire and a family history questionnaire. We calculated cumulative tobacco exposure and risk for pancreas cancer. Results. Both smokers (OR 3.01 (95% CI: 1.73 to 5.24)) and those with a family history of malignancy (OR 1.98 (95% CI: 1.15-3.38)) were more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Having more than one first-degree relative with cancer did not significantly further increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Amongst pancreatic cancer cases, cumulative tobacco exposure was significantly decreased (P = .032) in the group of smokers (current and ex-smokers) who had a family history of malignancy [mean (SD): 30.00 (24.77) pack-years versus 44.69 (28.47) pack-years with no such history]. Conclusions. Individuals with a family history of malignancy are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, individuals with a family history of malignancy and who smoke appear to require a lesser degree of tobacco exposure for the development of pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Unit, Department of Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lochan
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Charnley