RELATION OF BODY-SIZE AND THE RISK OF LUNG-CANCER

Two population-based case-control studies of lung cancer were conducte d on the island of Oahu, HI, between 1979 and 1985. Data from these st udies were combined to form the basis of this analysis. Interviews wer e obtained from 518 men and 230 women with lung cancer and 1,102 male and 524 female controls frequency matched to the cases by sex and five -year age group. The interview consisted of a complete tobacco history , information on body size, and other demographic and life-style infor mation. Weight and Quetelet index (kg/m2) 5 years before diagnosis, bu t not at 20-29 years of age, were inversely related to the risk of lun g cancer among men and women. Cases tended to gain less weight during adulthood than did controls. These associations persisted after adjust ment for age, ethnicity, tobacco smoking history, and beta-carotene in take. Our results are consistent with reports by several other investi gators of an inverse association between body weight and the risk of l ung cancer. However, we were unable to rule out the possibility of bia s in our findings due to preclinical disease.