Grant: CIHR New Investigator

Lung cancer is the most deadly cancer among Canadian men and women. Although smoking causes most lung cancers, some people who have never smoked in their life also sometimes get lung cancer. Also, only about 15% of smokers eventually get lung cancer. It is therefore clear that other factors are involved in lung cancer risk. Our research focuses on identifying other lifestyle behaviours that men and women can change in order to prevent lung cancer. Being physically active and eating lots of fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers. However, the role of physical activity and diet in the development of lung cancer is not well established. There are different types of physical activity that a person may be involved in, including activity at work and recreational activities. Fruits and vegetables have many nutrients and bio-active compounds that may prevent cancer, including compounds called flavonoids, which are also found in tea and wine. New studies are needed to fully understand the impact of these factors on lung cancer risk. In this research, we will examine how lung cancer risk is associated with physical activity levels and dietary intakes of flavonoids. Our research will be based on a study conducted between 1996 and 2005 that included men and women newly diagnosed with lung cancer in Montreal, and a group of people without lung cancer that were representative of Montreal area residents at risk of lung cancer. The interview asked detailed questions on smoking, occupation, diet, and recreational activities. This study thus offers a valuable opportunity to examine whether these lifestyle factors play an important role in lung cancer risk. There are many ways to prevent lung cancer and the more we know about the factors that may cause lung cancer, such as poor diet and low physical activity, the more weapons we will have in the battle to prevent this deadly disease.