Association between family history of lung cancer and lung cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Familial risk of lung cancer has been widely studied but the effects of sociodemographic factors and geographical regions are largely unknown. Methods PubMed and Embase were systematically searched until 1st October 2019. A total of 84 articles were identified and (19 cohort and 66 case control studies) included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled summary estimates and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and the analysis was stratified by sociodemographic factors and geographical regions. Results Geographical regions, sex, age of proband, smoking status, type of first-degree relatives, number of affected relatives, and early onset of lung cancer in affected relatives were significant determinants of familial risk of lung cancer. Higher risk of familial lung cancer was found among Asians as compared to non-Asians, younger individuals (age≤50) as compared with older individuals (age>50), individuals with ≥2 affected relatives as compared with individuals with one affected relative, ever-smokers as compared with never-smokers, Asian females as compared with Western females, and never-smokers in Asia as compared with never-smokers in the West. Conclusions Familial risk of lung cancer is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Future studies should control for environmental factors such as air pollution and environmental tobacco smoke which are prevalent in Asia.