By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D.Jul 1 2024 A meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies has found that exposure to second-hand smoke can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women who do not smoke.Review Article: Exposure to second-hand smoke and breast cancer risk in non-smoking women: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
The current meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the association between second-hand smoke exposure and the risk of breast cancer in female non-smokers. Important observations The meta-analysis of selected studies showed that female non-smokers are at a 24% increased risk of developing breast cancer when exposed to second-hand smoke. The risk of breast cancer was significantly higher in case-control studies than in cohort studies.
Specifically, a 30% increased risk of breast cancer was observed in women who were exposed to second-hand smoke for more than 40 years. Exposure to second-hand smoke is particularly relevant as it affects approximately 35% of women globally, as compared to alcohol intake, which affects approximately 25% of women.