An analysis will identify those at risk of lung cancer
A new study by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer shows that a blood test can improve the identification of people who may develop lung cancer caused by their exposure to tobacco.
"By using information from four blood protein biomarkers along with information on tobacco, we were able to identify 63% of future lung cancer patients between active smokers and former smokers," explained Dr. Mattias Johansson, one of the world's leading researchers. study.
The study showed that "biomarkers have the potential to significantly improve the identification of those individuals who are more likely to benefit from screening," added the scientist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer , which is part of the World Health Organization. health .
According to the study 80-90% of lung cancers are caused by exposure to tobacco. Lung cancer is responsible for 20% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. Survival rates for lung cancer are, in general, poor, since most patients are diagnosed when the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Reducing the prevalence of smoking is the most important way to prevent lung cancer, as well as other cancers associated with smoking around the world.
The number of deaths from lung cancer can be reduced by reducing exposure to tobacco and other known risk factors, such as air pollution and radon.
In addition, screening through the analysis has the potential to reduce mortality from lung cancer by detecting cancers at an early stage, when curative treatment is still possible.
" Avoiding smoking is the best way to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer , but among active smokers and former smokers who are at high risk, early detection plays a key role in further reducing deaths from this disease," said IARC director Christopher Salvaje. "
"These promising laboratory biomarker results offer new opportunities to improve the survival of patients with lung cancer," he added.
Research design
"This is the first study to systematically show that a panel of protein markers can improve the identification of future cases of lung cancer," said Dr. Paul Brennan, head of the Genetics Section of IARC and one of the principal investigators of the study.
"This test could be used to improve current screening eligibility criteria and increase the benefits of screening."
