title: Association between pulmonary dysfunction as a result of occupational exposures and risk of developing cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cohen's hypothesis states that pulmonary dysfunction is the underlying unifying factor that leads to numerous health risks of inhaled toxicants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the idea postulated by Cohen.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compiled a retrospective cohort (n = 8024) composed of participants in eight population-based research and occupational studies conducted between 1977 and 1989. Smoking history, occupational exposures, health indicators, and demographic information were obtained by questionnaire. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to test the Cohen's hypothesis. Risk of developing cancer increased (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.67) if a subject had an obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Impaired lung function caused by environmental and occupational exposures is one of the risk factors for the incidence of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. pup165@mail.usask.ca
authors.forename: Punam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pahwa
authors.forename: Chandima P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Karunanayake
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dosman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires