Margaret Duffy & Robert Cameron Troup Memorial Fund for Cancer Research Abstract- Jamson Lwebuga-Mukasa, M.D., Ph.D.

The CAEE will investigate the factors associated with higher than expected lung cancer rates among Buffalo's west side residents. Cigarette smoking by far is the primary cause of lung cancer. However, unexplained variations in lung cancer incidence suggest that other factors such as particulate pollution also contribute to the occurrence of disease. A recent map showing distribution of lung cancer cases 1993-1997 by the New York State Department of Health (2001) showed lung cancer incidence that was 15%-100% over what was expected on Buffalo's west side. Studies by the Center for Asthma and Environmental Exposure (CAEE) have found this area to be located downwind of a major truck traffic corridor. We wish to investigate the hypothesis that long term residence on Buffalo's west side may be an independent factor in the development of lung cancer which may interact with other personal and genetic factors. Detailed interviews among cases and control participants will be performed.This study will yield new information regarding localized increase in lung cancer occurance among Buffalo's west side residents.