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Body mass index and lung cancer risk: results from the ICARE study, a large, population-based case–control study

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Abstract

Background

The association between body mass index (BMI) and lung cancer is still disputed because of possible residual confounding by smoking and preclinical weight loss in case–control studies. We examined this association using data from the multicenter ICARE study in France, a large, population-based case–control study.

Methods

A total of 2,625 incident lung cancer cases and 3,381 controls were included. Weight was collected at interview, 2 years before the interview, and at age 30. Lifetime smoking exposure was calculated using the comprehensive smoking index (CSI). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95 % confidence intervals were estimated by unconditional logistic regression and controlled for age, area, education, CSI, occupational exposure, previous chronic bronchitis, and parental history of lung cancer. We also examined the role of weight change. Analyses were stratified by smoking status and sex.

Results

When compared with that of men with normal BMI 2 years before the interview, lung cancer aORs (95 % CI) among men with BMIs of <18.5, 25–29.9, 30–32.4, and ≥32.5 kg/m² were 2.7 (95 % CI 1.2–6.2), 0.9 (95 % CI 0.7–1.1), 0.8 (95 % CI 0.6–1.1), and 0.8 (95 % CI 0.6–1.0), respectively (p trend = 0.02). Results were more pronounced among current smokers and were similar in men and women. Weight gain over time was associated with a significant decreased risk of lung cancer.

Conclusions

We found an inverse dose-dependent association between lung cancer risk and BMI 2 years prior to interview in current smokers.

Impact statement

BMI might be an individual factor impacting the risk of lung cancer related to smoking’s carcinogen-induced DNA damage.

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Notes

  1. France is divided into 96 administrative units called départements.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank American Journal Experts for their editorial assistance. This work was supported by the French agency of health security (ANSES); the Fondation de France; the French National Research Agency (ANR); the National Institute of Cancer (INCA); the Foundation for Medical Research (FRM); The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS); The Health Ministry (DGS); the Organization for the Research on Cancer (ARC); and the French Ministry of work, solidarity and public function (DGT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inserm, CESP Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Environmental Epidemiology of Cancer Team, UMRS 1018, Equipe 6, Bâtiment Inserm 15/16, 16 avenue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France

    Chloé Tarnaud, Florence Guida, Alexandra Papadopoulos, Sylvie Cénée & Isabelle Stücker

  2. Univ. Paris-Sud, UMRS 1018, 94807, Villejuif, France

    Chloé Tarnaud, Florence Guida, Alexandra Papadopoulos, Sylvie Cénée & Isabelle Stücker

  3. Inserm, CESP Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Epidemiology of Occupational and Social Determinants of Health, 94807, Villejuif, France

    Diane Cyr, Annie Schmaus, Loredana Radoï, Sophie Paget-Bailly, Gwenn Menvielle & Daniele Luce

  4. Université de Versailles St-Quentin, UMRS 1018, 94807, Villejuif, France

    Diane Cyr, Annie Schmaus, Loredana Radoï, Sophie Paget-Bailly, Gwenn Menvielle & Daniele Luce

  5. Registre des cancers du Haut-Rhin, Mulhouse, France

    Antoine Buemi

  6. Registre des tumeurs du Doubs, CHU Saint Jacques, Besançon, France

    Anne Sophie Woronoff

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  1. Chloé Tarnaud
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  2. Florence Guida
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  3. Alexandra Papadopoulos
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  13. Isabelle Stücker
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Correspondence to Isabelle Stücker.

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Tarnaud, C., Guida, F., Papadopoulos, A. et al. Body mass index and lung cancer risk: results from the ICARE study, a large, population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 23, 1113–1126 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-012-9980-3

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