DNA Testing for Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK after skin cancer, with approximately 31,000 new diagnoses and almost as many deaths occurring each year. Primarily affecting older people, lung cancer is renowned as a smoker’s disease because smoking cigarettes accounts for up to 90% of all lung cancer cases in the UK. As demonstrated by the ratio of diagnosis and death highlighted above, lung cancer patients tend to face a bleak outlook as the disease will often metastasise before its symptoms are identified. In fact, only 25% of lung cancer patients can expect to survive for more than a year after diagnosis, whilst only 7% can anticipate a life beyond five years. As smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer in the vast majority of sufferers, the disease has long thought to be influenced by predominantly environmental factors.
Genetic predisposition DNA testing for lung cancer has proven invaluable in establishing whether genetic factors play a role in its development. Discovering a genetic predisposition to lung cancer could dramatically improve survival rates in patients as it would increase the prospects of making an early diagnosis. DNA testing lung cancer could also lead to more advanced methods of treatment, which would further improve prognoses. To date, researchers have found that there are genetic factors at work in the development of lung cancer generally. In particular, the RGS17 gene has been shown to play a pivotal role in an individual’s susceptibility to the disease, which is typically increased in people whose familial relatives have a history of lung cancer.
For support and more information about lung cancer, please visit the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) website, a partnership of charities, clinicians, senior NHS professionals and healthcare companies with a commitment to double lung cancer survival. It is the nation’s only multi-interest group in lung cancer. The UKLCC is primarily a campaigning organisation. Information and support for people affected by lung cancer can be found separately by contacting the following charity members of the UKLCC, whose details are available on this website: British Lung Foundation, Cancer Black Care, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Tenovus.
Speak To International Biosciences About DNA Testing Genetic Predisposition for Lung Cancer
International Biosciences provide Genetic Predisposition testing to determine your genetic predisposition for important health conditions including cancers, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and obesity. Knowing which genetic disorders and diseases you are at risk from will allow you to plan to reduce it by making lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Contact International Bioscienceson on 0-800-999-038 or click here to email us.