Smoking and Kidney Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Theis Ryan P, Dolwick Grieb Suzanne M, Burr Deborah, Siddiqui Tariq, Asal Nabih R
Primary Institution: University of Florida
Hypothesis
What is the role of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the incidence of renal cell cancer (RCC)?
Conclusion
The study confirms that smoking increases the risk of renal cell cancer and suggests that environmental tobacco smoke, especially in the home, may also be a significant risk factor.
Supporting Evidence
- Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the home significantly increases RCC risk.
- The study found a protective effect for smoking cessation, with longer cessation periods associated with lower RCC risk.
Takeaway
Smoking can make you sick, and even being around smoke from others can be bad for your kidneys.
Methodology
The study used a population-based case-control design, comparing 335 RCC cases with 337 matched controls through interviews and hospital records.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the lower participation rates of controls who may have healthier lifestyles.
Limitations
The low response rate among controls (42%) may indicate selection bias, and the study's reliance on self-reported data could introduce recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants included white and African-American individuals aged 20 years or older from Florida and Georgia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.93 – 1.95
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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