Does nicotine replacement therapy cause cancer? Evidence from the Lung Health Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Recent genetic evidence has implicated nicotine as a possible cause of cancer, suggesting the need to examine the potential contributions of nicotine itself to cancer versus the confounding effects of addiction and thus exposures to known carcinogens. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between nicotine replacement therapy, smoking, and cancer outcomes.

Methods

The Lung Health Study enrolled 5,887 participants in a randomized trial to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present study used surveillance data on 3,320 intervention participants who enrolled in the Lung Health Study for 5 years and who were then followed by the Lung Cancer Substudy for 7.5 years. Nicotine replacement therapy use and smoking exposure were recorde

SUBMITTER: Murray RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2725009 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature