4.6 Cancers of other sites

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4.1 Background

4.2 What is secondhand smoke?

4.3 What is in secondhand smoke?

4.4 Cardiovascular disease and secondhand smoke

4.5 Lung cancer and secondhand smoke

4.6 Cancers of other sites

4.7 Health effects of secondhand smoke for infants and children

4.8 Effects of secondhand smoke on the respiratory system in adults

4.9 Secondhand smoke and pregnancy

4.10 Secondhand smoke and increased risk of infectious disease

4.11 Secondhand smoke and diabetes

4.12 Population prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke in the home

4.13 Estimates of morbidity and mortality attributable to secondhand smoke

4.14 Public attitudes to secondhand smoke

Acknowledgments

References

There remains a degree of debate over whether, on the basis of current evidence, it can be stated that secondhand smoke causes cancers of some sites other than the lung. On the basis of the published evidence it is reasonable to state that there is at least the possibility of an association between secondhand smoke and disease outcome for the following cancers, but further research is required.

4.6.1 Nasal sinus cancers

Although the most recent reviews agree that secondhand smoke is implicated in the development of nasal sinus cavity, different conclusions about the proven degree of causality have been reached. The Californian Environmental Protection Agency concludes that exposure to secondhand smoke is a cause of nasal sinus cancers in non-smoking adults,19 while the Report of the US Surgeon General (2006) states that at present, 'the evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and a risk of nasal sinus cancer among non-smokers.'20 p482

4.6.2 Nasopharyngeal cancers

The Californian Environmental Protection Agency Report has concluded that exposure to secondhand smoke may increase the risk of developing cancers of the nasal airways leading to the throat in non-smokers, but that more research is required before this finding can be confirmed.19 The Report of the US Surgeon General (2006)states that the evidence is currently inadequate 'to infer the presence or absence of a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and a risk of nasopharyngeal cancinoma among non-smokers.'20 p482

4.6.3 Breast cancer

There remains debate about the association between exposure to secondhand smoke and development of breast cancer. In its latest review, the California Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that the weight of evidence is consistent with there being a causal association between exposure to secondhand smoke and the development of breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women aged under 50. In this group, the risk of developing breast cancer may be doubled.19 The Report of the US Surgeon General (2006) more cautiously states that 'the evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke and breast cancer.'20 p480 However because of the high incidence of breast cancer, this report recommends further research, and that women be advised to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

4.6.4 Cervical cancer

Exposure to secondhand smoke may be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix, but more research is required.19, 20

4.6.5 Cancers of the bladder and kidney

Recent studies report an association for an increased incidence of bladder cancer in non-smoking adults exposed to secondhand smoke during childhood.36, 37 An association has also been observed for cancers of the kidney,37 but further research is required before these associations can be confirmed.

4.6.6 Childhood cancers

See Section 4.7.9.