Tobacco Documents Online

THE COUNCIL FOR TOBACCO RESEARCH-U. S.A. MEMORAltDUM TO: CCL FROM: J`MB November 11, 1965 SUBJECT: "Lung Cancer Among Non and Occasional Cigarette Smokers", a paper delivered by Dean F. Davies, M.D. at the American Public Health A ssociation Meeting, October 21, 1965. To fill out an unexplored area in the role of cigarette smoking in the epidemiology of lung cancer, the literature to date contains no substantial appraisal of lung cancer in the non-smoker. Dr. Davies, in exploring this area, referred to the publication of Dr. Doll in 1953 in which Dr. Doll reported 41 cases of lung cancer in non-smokers. "Although we all know of the strong association between smoking and lung cancer, we also know cancer does occur in the non-smoker." Dr. Davies' report was a progress report on a study currently being carried out in New York-City. There are 143 licensed hospitals in New York City.- The 23 hospitals used for the study were selected as follows: three Veterans Administration Hospitals, ten voluntary hospitals and ten city hospitals--only large hospitals were used. These institutions provided a larger pool of patients with lung cancer and further simplified the selection of proper controls. The screening of patient's history of smoking hab its was accomplished by direct questioning.and/or the next of kin. Of the 2,075 patients with lung cancer, 126 were non-smokers and 30 were light smokers. The controls were matched from the same hospitals. This study is at present incomplete. The tables available are con- fusing to interpret. Factors other than lung cancer are being included in this study. Publication will not be attempted for about a year. J. Morrison Brady, M.D. ~..~ :aras