The results provide strong evidence that tobacco smoking, air pollutants, indoor radon, and various toxic substances which are inhaled play a significant role in the development of lung cancer. Positive family history of malignant disease is also likely to increase a person's risk. It is possible that some subtypes of lung cancer reflect a genetic predisposition to malignancy, which also affects other specific organs. The results of this study are compatible with previous reports. While the findings need to be further strengthened and refined through additional research, the clinicians believe that their observations establish a firm basis for suggesting a potential genetic predisposition to lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women.
Each year there will be about 178,000 new cases of lung cancer in the United States. More women now die each year of lung cancer than of breast cancer, which has been the major cause of cancer death in women for the past 40 years. Lung cancer is fairly rare in people under age 40 years. The number of cases goes up after age 50 years and increases even more sharply after age 65. Add the UniSci Daily Java News Ticker to Your Site or Desktop.