Background and Objective: Sex and gender-related factors can both differently influence cancer susceptibility, progression, survival, and therapeutic response. Nevertheless, these differences are not extensively studied. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize sex/gender related differences in lung cancer epidemiology, the burden of its risk factors, and the role of prevention. Methods: Through PubMed Central and official websites of International and European Agencies and Societies, recent evidence about potential differences between males and females in lung cancer epidemiology (prevalence, temporal/spatial trend, biomarkers), risk factors (tobacco smoking and air pollution) and prevention coming from international reports and original studies have been selected. The study was limited to published original manuscripts/reviews/reports in the English language from 1990 to 2021. Key Content and Findings: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer (11.4% of the total cases), and the leading cause of cancer death (18.0% of the total cancer deaths). An increasing lung cancer incidence and mortality trends, largely but not only due to the increasing smoking prevalence, were evidenced among women. Females seem to be more susceptible to carcinogenic effect of tobacco smoke, and hormonal factors, use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and genetic predisposition are suggested to affect susceptibility to lung cancer. The incidence of lung cancer among females is globally increasing also in those who doesn’t smoke. Therefore, it becomes important to investigate the influence of other factors such as environmental tobacco exposure (ETS), outdoor and indoor air pollution, occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals and radon exposure from soil and building materials. The risk of lung cancer can be significantly reduced with tobacco cessation. Sex/gender differences in smoking cessation rates have been hypothesized with contrasting results. Conclusions: Lung cancer prevalence, trend and susceptibility as well as efficacy of risk factors preventive measures (e.g., smoking cessation) are a result of sex and gender differences, thus both aspects should be considered as contributing factors in lung cancer management.

A narrative review of epidemiology and prevention of lung cancer: sex/gender differences?

Pistelli F.;Carrozzi L.
2022-01-01

Abstract

Background and Objective: Sex and gender-related factors can both differently influence cancer susceptibility, progression, survival, and therapeutic response. Nevertheless, these differences are not extensively studied. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize sex/gender related differences in lung cancer epidemiology, the burden of its risk factors, and the role of prevention. Methods: Through PubMed Central and official websites of International and European Agencies and Societies, recent evidence about potential differences between males and females in lung cancer epidemiology (prevalence, temporal/spatial trend, biomarkers), risk factors (tobacco smoking and air pollution) and prevention coming from international reports and original studies have been selected. The study was limited to published original manuscripts/reviews/reports in the English language from 1990 to 2021. Key Content and Findings: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer (11.4% of the total cases), and the leading cause of cancer death (18.0% of the total cancer deaths). An increasing lung cancer incidence and mortality trends, largely but not only due to the increasing smoking prevalence, were evidenced among women. Females seem to be more susceptible to carcinogenic effect of tobacco smoke, and hormonal factors, use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and genetic predisposition are suggested to affect susceptibility to lung cancer. The incidence of lung cancer among females is globally increasing also in those who doesn’t smoke. Therefore, it becomes important to investigate the influence of other factors such as environmental tobacco exposure (ETS), outdoor and indoor air pollution, occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals and radon exposure from soil and building materials. The risk of lung cancer can be significantly reduced with tobacco cessation. Sex/gender differences in smoking cessation rates have been hypothesized with contrasting results. Conclusions: Lung cancer prevalence, trend and susceptibility as well as efficacy of risk factors preventive measures (e.g., smoking cessation) are a result of sex and gender differences, thus both aspects should be considered as contributing factors in lung cancer management.
2022
Baldacci, S.; Maio, S.; Meschi, C.; Chimera, D.; Tagliaferro, S.; Angino, A. A.; Silvi, P.; Pistelli, F.; Carrozzi, L.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/1158466
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