The etiology of lung cancer in nonsmoking females in Harbin, China.

ABSTRACT

A case-control study of female lung adenocarcinoma in Harbin, China involving interviews with 120 cases of nonsmoking females, matched 11 with controls, showed that high coal use, indoor air pollution, exposure to coal dust, frequent frying and deep frying food, and a history of lung cancer in the family were statistically significant risk factors for female adenocarcinoma. High personal income, spacious living quarters, and frequent consumption of carrots were protective factors for adenocarcinoma.