Compared characteristics of current vs. past smokers at the time of diagnosis of a first-time lung or head and neck cancer: a cross-sectional study

Corinne Vannimenus, Hélène Bricout, Olivier Le Rouzic, François Mouawad, Dominique Chevalier, Eric Dansin, Laurence Rotsaert, Gautier Lefebvre, Olivier Cottencin, Henri Porte, Arnaud Scherpereel, Asmaa El Fahsi, Florence Richard, Benjamin Rolland, The ALTAK Study Group

Active smoking at the time of diagnosis of a first head & neck (H&N) or lung cancer is associated with a worse cancer outcome and increased mortality. However, the compared characteristics of active vs. former smokers at cancer diagnosis are poorly known. In 371 subjects with a first H&N or lung cancer, we assessed: 1) socio-demographic features; 2) lifelong types of smoking; 3) alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT); 4) cannabis abuse screening test (CAST); and 5) Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Using a multivariable regression model, we compared the profile of current smokers and past smokers. Current smokers more frequently exhibited H&N cancer (OR 3.91; 95% CI [2.00-6.51]; p <  0.0001) and ever smoking of hand-rolled cigarettes (OR 2.2; 95% CI [1.25-3.88]; p = 0.007). Among subjects with lung cancer (n = 177), current smoking was primarily associated with ever smoking of hand-rolled cigarettes (OR 2.88; 95% CI [1.32-6.30]; p = 0.008) and negatively associated with age (OR 0.92; 95% CI [0.89-0.96]; p <  0.001). Among subjects with H&N cancer (n = 163), current smokers exhibited a significantly greater AUDIT score (OR = 1.08; 95% CI [1.01-1.16]; p = 0.03). At the time of diagnosis of the first lung or H&N cancer, current smoking is highly associated with previous type of smoking and alcohol drinking patterns. NCT01647425 ; Registration date: July 23, 2012.