Even through smoking is a definite risk factor for lung cancer, it is possible for people who have never smoked to suffer lung cancer. This research aimed to describe the epidemiology of lung cancer in never smokers in Morocco. Also, an assessment of differences between men and women never smokers was performed. The researchers analyzed retrospectively all patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2014 and 2017. The results showed that of 606 patients, 157 (25.9%) were never smokers. Of these, 79 patients (50.32%) were women. Women were more likely to be younger (p=0.034), had adenocarcinoma (p=0.046), and being in advanced stage of the disease (p=0.032). Men were more exposed to professional carcinogens (p<0.001). Tuberculosis was the most frequent previous lung disease in never smokers, but no difference was noted between men and women. Performance status and comorbidities did not vary by gender. Never smokers in Morocco represent a significant proportion of lung cancer. Evident epidemiologic differences are found between men and women never smokers, notably, age, histological type and risk factor exposure.
facilities and treatment modalities, the prognosis remains poor. The evaluating demographic variables associated with survival in lung cancer patients are useful as these generate data on prognostic variables, which could be used to develop models to disease prevention, predict treatment response and survival in newly detected lung cancer patients. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study at national institute of cancer research & Hospital (NICRH), a tertiary care center at Dhaka, Bangladesh between 2018 and 2019. The Ethical Review Board of NICRH approved the study protocol. Survival estimate was generated using Kaplan-Meier method and Univariate and multivariable cox proportional hazards regression was fit to assess the association of demographic factors. Results: In the study 84.6% were males and 15.4% were females. About 64% patients are between 50-69 years. 40% of the patients were underweight at time of diagnosis whereas 8.1% & 51.9% patient were overweight & normal weight respectively. Most of the patient had found illiterate (66.2%). 55.4% patients found in low economic condition. Around one third of the patient (29.5%) had comorbid condition. Statistically significant difference in survival estimates is observed in 70 years and above age groups compare to less than 50 years age group (p < 0.001). Primary education completed group had better survival then the illiterate group (P < 0.01), underweight patient group had worse outcome compare to normal or over weight patient groups (P = 0.001). No comorbidity group had better survival than comorbid group (p = 0.005). But the socioeconomical status (SES) and gender did not show any statistically significant result ( p = 0.291 & p = 0.545 respectively. Conclusions: SES, education level, lack of resources and social stigma plays important role in survival outcome of lung cancer patients in Bangladesh. The demographic variables related survival in lung cancer needs to be fully elucidated because of its importance in the design of experimental protocols for targeted chemoprevention, early screening, and individualized treatment. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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