Women's susceptibility to tobacco carcinogens

Study objectives: To assess lung cancer risk of smoking women relative to that of equally smoking men. Methods: The study base was constituted by baseline CT screenings for lung cancer on 1202 women and 1288 men, at least 40 years of age and with at least 10 pack-years of cigarette smoking. The prevalence-odds (incidence-density) ratio contrasting women with men was calculated. Confoundings by age and the particulars of smoking history were controlled in logistic regression analysis. Results: For the prevalence-odds ratio contrasting women with men, upon control of age and smoking history, the point estimate was 2.7 and the 95% interval estimate 1.6-4.7. The diagnosed cancers were of equally 'aggressive' types between the two genders. Conclusions: At variance with evidence from cohort studies, this evidence from a screening experience calls for further consideration of the hypothesis that women are more susceptible to tobacco carcinogens than are men.