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Ruth Katz, a cancer specialist at the University of Texas in Houston, says, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world since physicians lack the tools to spot lung cancer in its earliest stages. Well, unlike cancers of the breast, colon and prostate, the early diagnosis is much more difficult.

Lung cancer, or carcinoma of the lung, is a disease where epithelial (internal lining) tissue in the lung grows out of control. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women, is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. The most common symptoms on lung cancer are shortness of breath, cough (including coughing up blood), and weight loss. Primary lung cancers themselves most commonly metastasize to the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone.

The most important cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke. In non smokers, the occurrence of lung cancer, who account for less than 10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors. Radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution may also contribute to the development of lung cancer. That’s why, one way to spot the disease in its early stages is to screen people at risk: smokers.

Now Katz and colleague Feng Jiang have identified a number of genes that predispose smokers to lung cancer by propose screening smokers for the presence of these genes. If a person has those genes as well as other indications of early stage cancer, they can be treated and advised to give up smoking.

On the other hand, Katz and Jiang suggest that a similar set of tests could indicate that a smoker is not predisposed to cancer and may therefore be able to continue their habit safely.

Topik: General, Medicines, Therapy