Lung cancer

May 26, 2008 -- ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have found that carrying a common genetic disorder doubles the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers.

The study is published in the May 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal published by the American Medical Association.

Cigarette butts: Photo by mfshadow (CC)    » read more »

03 April 2008 -- Three independent teams of researchers have found genes that may explain why some smokers get cancer and others do not, and why some people who never smoke also get the disease. Investigators say the discoveries could lead to better ways to prevent and treat one of the most lethal forms of cancer.

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer: Photo by Raul Lieberwirth (CC)

The teams in the United States, France and Iceland scoured the DNA of thousands of white smokers and non-smokers of European descent,with and without lung cancer, looking for genes that have been linked to smoking.    » read more »

Urges people to test homes for radon, which is second-leading cause of lung cancer in U.S.

January 3, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today proclaimed January as Radon Action Month in Illinois and urged people throughout the state to test their homes to see if they have elevated levels of the radioactive gas known to cause lung cancer. Radon is recognized as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the nation, behind smoking, but is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.    » read more »

November 5, 2007 -- In Sunday night's episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," a Cheyenne, Wyoming, home was demolished due to a radon problem that supposedly couldn't be fixed. While homes in Michigan should be tested for radon to determine if there is a problem, elevated radon levels do not require homeowners to go to such "extreme" measures to keep their families safe.    » read more »

Radon is leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers

November 5, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people to test their homes for radon, a radioactive gas known to cause lung cancer, during the month of November. Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has proclaimed November Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois, calling attention to the fact that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.    » read more »

Comprehensive analysis provides new view of genomic landscape of leading cause of cancer deaths

09/01/07, Cincinnati — A common molecular pathway could help physicians predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy drugs, according to new research from a multidisciplinary team at the University of Cincinnati (UC).

Known as the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor, this fundamental molecule regulates cell proliferation in the body. Research has shown that the RB pathway is either entirely inactive or altered in most human cancers. Scientists are beginning to use its actions as a “biomarker” for how tumors will respond to different therapies.    » read more »

Isolated knee monoarthritis heralding resectable non-small cell lung cancer: a paraneoplastic syndrome not previously described

3-Sep-2007 -- Arthritis of the knee may be the first sign of a type of lung cancer that is hard to treat in heavy smokers, suggests research published ahead of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The researchers reviewed the case notes of all patients with rheumatic disorders, diagnosed at one tertiary referral centre over six years.    » read more »