Active and passive smoking and risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Studies on active and passive tobacco smoking and breast cancer have found inconsistent results. A meta-analysis of observational studies on tobacco smoking and breast cancer occurrence was conducted based on systematic searches for studies with retrospective (case-control) and prospective (cohort) designs. Eligible studies were identified, and relative risk measurements were extracted for active and passive tobacco exposures. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to compute summary relative risks (SRR). Heterogeneity of results between studies was evaluated using the (I (2)) statistics. For ever active smoking, in 27 prospective studies, the SRR for breast cancer was 1.10 (95 % CI [1.09-1.12]) with no heterogeneity (I (2) = 0 %). In 44 retrospective studies, the SRR was 1.08 (95 % CI [1.02-1.14]) with high heterogeneity (I (2) = 59 %). SRRs for current active smoking were 1.13 (95 % CI [1.09-1.17]) in 27 prospective studies and 1.08 (95 % CI [0.97-1.20]) in 22 retrospective studies. The results were stable across different subgroup analyses, notably pre/post-menopause, alcohol consumption adjustments, including/excluding passive smokers from the referent group. For ever passive smoking, in 11 prospective studies, the SRR for breast cancer was 1.07 (95 % CI [1.02-1.13]) with no heterogeneity (I (2) = 1 %). In 20 retrospective studies, the SRR was 1.30 (95 % CI [1.10-1.54]) with high heterogeneity (I (2) = 74 %). Too few prospective studies were available for meaningful subgroup analyses. There is consistent evidence for a moderate increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who smoke tobacco. The evidence for a moderate increase in risk with passive smoking is more substantial than a few years ago.
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Previous research, including meta-analyses, found suggestive evidence of an association between SHS exposure and breast cancer.
“Additionally, previous research, including meta-analyses, found suggestive evidence of an association between SHS exposure and breast cancer13–15.”
From Health effects associated with exposure to secondhand smoke: a Burden of Proof study (2024) · cites this paper as [14]
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Health effects associated with exposure to secondhand smoke: a Burden of Proof study
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- Authors
- Macacu, A., Autier, P., Boniol, M., & Boyle, P.
- Affiliations
- International Prevention Research Institute (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Macacu, Alina
- Venue
- Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
- Published
- 2015-11
- Volume
- 154
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 213-224
- ISSN
- 0167-6806 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-7217
- OpenAlex
- W1939289385
- Cited by
- 256
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 4
- FWCI
- 1.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (submittedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
- Keywords
- breast cancer, active smoking, passive smoking, smoking, cancer risk, women, alcohol consumption, menopause
- MeSH terms
- Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Risk, Smoking, Tobacco Smoke Pollution, Odds Ratio
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