Risk Factors for the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in Poland: A Large-Scale, Population-Based Case-Control Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Institute of Healthcare, State School of Technology and Economics, 37-500 Jaroslaw, Poland.

2 Institute of Technical Engineering, State School of Technology and Economics in Jaroslaw, 37-500 Jaroslaw, Poland.

3 Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland.

4 Faculty of Health, University of Debrecen, Sóstói út 2-4 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary.

5 Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care Constantine the Philosopher, University in Nitra, Kraskova 1 949 74 Nitra, Slovak Republic.

6 Faculty of Health Science, Midwifery Department, Ataturk University, Bölümü 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.

7 Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland.

Abstract

Objective: Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly malignant neoplasms. Currently, it is one of the main causes of cancer deaths worldwide. The study aimed to identify and evaluate patient characteristics, demographic and lifestyle factors that are associated with lung cancer at diagnosis. Methods: The study included 400 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and 400 within the control group. The research was based on a clinical, direct, individual, structured, in-depth and focused interview. Assessment of activity and BMI was used according to WHO recommendations, as well as the expert system. Results: The mean age of the patients was 74.53 ± 7.86 years, while in the control group 59.5 (7.93). There was a strong positive relationship between the incidence of tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the risk of lung cancer (p <0.001). The risk of lung cancer was significant in the case of smoking 20 or more than 20 cigarettes a day and smoking for more than 20 years (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Active and passive smoking, are a leading risk factor for lung cancer, which shows that understanding of the long-term and fatal effects of smoking is still very low in society.  No significant correlation has been found between lifestyle and risk of lung cancer. However, there was a strong positive correlation between tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the risk of lung cancer. Occupation is a predisposing factor for lung cancer occurrence.

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