A new study has found that mums who have babies before the age of 20 are more likely to develop lung cancer later in life. The research, conducted by scientists at Xiangya Hospital in China, identified teen pregnancy as one of the most significant reproductive factors associated with a higher risk of the condition. Lung cancer currently kills 35,000 people in the UK every year, making these findings of paramount importance.
Reproductive factors linked to lung cancer risk
The study analysed data from 273,190 people in the UK Biobank to investigate the links between reproductive factors and the risk of developing lung cancer. After an average follow-up period of 12 years, a total of 1,182 cases of lung cancer were recorded. The researchers found several factors that showed a "significant" association with a higher risk of the disease among women, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These factors include entering puberty before the age of 11, menopause before the age of 46, a shorter reproductive span (up to age 32), and having a baby before the age of 20.
Importance of screening multiple reproductive factors
Lead researcher Dr Yi Zhang, from Central South University, emphasized the importance of screening multiple reproductive factors in identifying potential lung cancer risk among women. The study's findings suggest that early menarche, early menopause, and a shortened reproductive life span are associated with higher risks of incident lung cancer, especially NSCLC, in subpopulations with specific genetic risk and lifestyle choices.
The findings were presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2023 World Conference held in Singapore.
Note: Around 85 per cent of lung cancers are NSCLC, according to Cancer Research UK. The three main types are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
