Lung cancer among Chinese females in Singapore 1968-1992: time trends, dialect group differences and implications for aetiology

Abstract

BackgroundChinese females are distinguished internationally as having relatively high lung cancer incidence rates despite a low prevalence of cigarette smoking. In Singapore, this population comprises several dialect groups which have origins in different regions in China, each with its own traditional cultural practices.MethodsAn analysis of 4029 incident cases of the disease notified to the Singapore Cancer Registry for 1968–1992 was undertaken to provide some insight into important aetiologic factors among these women.ResultsThe age-standardized incidence rate of lung cancer rose from 17.3 per 100 000 woman-years in 1968–1972 to 23.0 in 1978–1982 before falling off in more recent years. Age-period-cohort analysis indicated significant period and birth cohort effects, with the risk being highest for women born around 1908. Between the major dialect groups, Cantonese women had a significantly high rate compared with Hokkiens (relative risk [RR] = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.4–2.8). Histologically, there appears to be an increase in the proportion of adenocarcinomas diagnosed over this period (25.8% in 1968–1972 to 51.3% in 1988–1992).ConclusionsOur results suggest that traditional practices which have decreased over the years, and are more prominent among Southern Chinese, may play a part in the aetiology of lung cancer locally.