Pollution in the working place and social status: Co-factors in lung cancer carcinogenesis

•A polluted working environment is an important risk factor for lung cancer.•At-risk professions are a factor independently of smoking status.•Lung cancer patients are more likely to be immigrants and have lower incomes.

IntroductionApart from the association with tobacco consumption, other factors of importance for prevention and early diagnosis of lung cancer have received little attention. We present a case–control study focusing on professional exposure to carcinogens and social status.MethodsA written questionnaire was completed by 551 consecutive patients with lung cancer and 494 patients with large bowel cancer. The groups were balanced regarding gender and age distribution. The questionnaire included data on place of birth, education, smoking history, diet and alcohol intake, body weight and height, occupation, housing conditions and family income. According to standard epidemiological criteria, professional exposure to carcinogens was classified as professions with exposure to confirmed lung cancer carcinogens, professions with exposure to suspected lung cancer carcinogens and other professions.ResultsAs expected, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding smoking status. While there were no significant differences in educational levels, more immigrants were among patients with lung cancer (17.9% vs 11.6%, p = 0.005). On average, lung cancer patients had a lower body mass index (BMI) at 24.77, as compared to 26.14 for large bowel cancer (p = 0.000). Lung cancer patients had lower income and poorer housing conditions; the bivariate difference was significant both for income levels (p = 0.046) and type of residence (p = 0.009). The proportion of patients working in professions with exposures to known carcinogens was 33.5% for lung cancer, and 17.1% for large bowel cancer (p = 0.000). In the multivariate analysis, smoking (p = 0.000), BMI (p = 0.000) and type of occupation (p = 0.001) were significant factors.ConclusionsWhile there is no doubt about smoking in lung cancer carcinogenesis, professional exposure to c