Lung cancer in never-smokers: a case-control study in a radon-prone area (Galicia, Spain).

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of residential radon exposure on the risk of lung cancer in never-smokers and to ascertain if environmental tobacco smoke modifies the effect of residential radon. We designed a multicentre hospital-based case-control study in a radon-prone area (Galicia, Spain). All participants were never-smokers. Cases had an anatomopathologically confirmed primary lung cancer and controls were recruited from individuals undergoing minor, non-oncological surgery. Residential radon was measured using alpha track detectors. We included 521 individuals, 192 cases and 329 controls, 21% were males. We observed an odds ratio of 2.42 (95% CI 1.45-4.06) for individuals exposed to ≥200 Bq·m(-3) compared with those exposed to <100 Bq·m(-3). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure at home increased lung cancer risk in individuals with radon exposure>200 Bq·m(-3). Individuals exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and to radon concentrations>200 Bq·m(-3) had higher lung cancer risk than those exposed to lower radon concentrations and exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Residential radon increases lung cancer risk in never-smokers. An association between residential radon exposure and environmental tobacco smoke on the risk of lung cancer might exist.

• Authors: María Torres-Durán, Alberto Ruano-Ravina, Isaura Parente-Lamelas, Virginia Leiro-Fernández, José Abal-Arca, Carmen Montero-Martínez, Carolina Pena-Álvarez, Francisco Javier González-Barcala, Olalla Castro-Añón, Antonio Golpe-Gómez, Cristina Martínez, María José Mejuto-Martí, Alberto Fernández-Villar, Juan Miguel Barros-Dios
• Journal: The European respiratory journal (Eur Respir J) Vol. 44 Issue 4 Pg. 994-1001 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1399-3003 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25034571 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: ©ERS 2014.

Chemical References

• Tobacco Smoke Pollution
• Radon

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Housing
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radon (adverse effects)
• Risk Factors
• Spain
• Tobacco Smoke Pollution (adverse effects)