Lung Cancer Genes Identified
Smokers are much more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers — that has been a scientific truism for decades. But what about the majority of smokers who don't develop lung cancer? Are they just the lucky ones? What about non-smokers who do develop the disease? New studies suggest that the lung cancer explanation may lie in genes.
On November 2, 2008, an international research team, made by researchers from 18 countries, has reported the identification of three genetic variations that appear to increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer by up to 60 percent. They said their latest finding was relevant for both smokers and non-smokers.
On the Reuters website Michael Kahn has stated that "lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, according to the American Cancer Society, with about 975,000 men and 376,000 women forecast to die annually".
Smoking is considered a risk factor but increasingly scientists are looking to genetics to help explain why some chain smokers never develop the disease and why some non-smokers do.
In fact, cancer is caused by defects in cell’s genetic material!
