Lung cancer in young women in southern Sweden: A descriptive study.

Introduction: Lung cancer, a common malignancy and cause of cancer-related deaths, is strongly linked to several environmental exposures, and thus primarily affects the elderly. Formerly a man's disease, its incidence is rising among women, and lung cancer is now more common in women than men in Sweden. Women are particularly over-represented among young patients. While overall cancer mortality in Europe is decreasing, female lung cancer mortality is increasing.

Objectives: We describe the epidemiological presentation of lung cancer in young Swedish women, aiming to pinpoint its risk factors for young women.

Methods: 1159 women with newly diagnosed lung cancer in southern Sweden 1997-2015 answered questionnaires on their lifestyles and personal and family medical histories. We identified those below age 50.

Results: 70 (6.0%) of 1159 women were below age 50. Most (n = 49, 70.0%) were aged 45-50; eight (11.4%) were below age 40. The most common lung cancer subtype was adenocarcinoma (n = 33, 47.1%). 12.9% (n = 9) had carcinoid tumors. Most women reported both first- and second-hand tobacco smoke exposure (n = 54, 77.1%); 2.9% (n = 2) reported neither. 17.1% (n = 12) were never-smokers. 34.3% (n = 24) reported frequent X-ray radiation exposure. 78.6% reported at least one near relative with cancer. 25.7% reported relatives with lung cancer.

Conclusions: Lung cancer remains rare in young women, and tobacco smoke exposure is the single greatest risk factor, even for never-smokers. Thus, avoiding tobacco smoke exposure remains the most important preventive measure against lung cancer for young women in Sweden and elsewhere.