Inherited mutated gene increases lung cancer risk in women

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest that people who have an inherited mutation of a certain gene have a high chance of getting lung cancer than heavy smokers with or without the inherited mutation. Although both genders have an equal risk of inheriting the mutation, those who develop lung cancer are mostly women and have never smoked, the researchers found. People with the rare inherited T790M mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene who have never smoked have a one-in-three chance of developing lung cancer, researchers found. (Read: MK-3475 – Scientists develop new drug that could potentially cure lung cancer)

This risk is considerably greater than that of the average heavy smoker, who has about a one-in-eight chance of developing lung cancer – about 40- fold greater than people who have never smoked and do not have the mutation. The likelihood of developing lung cancer is so strong for women with the mutated gene and people with the mutated gene who have never smoked that they may need to get screened for lung cancer at regular intervals, according to Dr. Adi Gazdar, Professor of Pathology and Deputy Director for the Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research at UT Southwestern.

‘Fortunately the mutation, which is extremely rare, can be detected by a blood test. Only people suspected of having the mutation and their family members need to be tested for the mutation,’ Dr. Gazdar said. ‘This is a very rare inherited mutation in the general population, but because it confers a greatly increased risk of developing lung cancer, it is present in about one in every hundred lung cancer cases,’ the researcher said. The findings are published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. (Read: Beware – Vitamin E supplements could cause lung cancer!)

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer refers to uncontrolled cellular growth in the lung tissues. These lumps and tumours interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, stopping it from performing its primary duty of providing oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Lung cancer, considered one of the most deadly forms of the disease, causes close to 1.4 million deaths per year, according to a World Health Organization estimate. The two main types of this cancer are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Tobacco smoking, both active and passive, is the foremost reason for development of lung cancer. According to a new study, smoking ultra-long or long cigarettes can put you at greater risk of lung cancer. Heavy exposure to asbestos, radon, uranium, arsenic, genetic predisposition, and lung scarring from any prior illness can all cause lung cancer. Due to environmental pollution, lung cancer is increasing rapidly among Indian women in the 45 to 55 age group. Fine particulate matter in the air that lodges itself in the lungs causes harm over time, and damage starts early.

Cough, haemoptysis (coughing up blood), wheezing, shortness of breath, weight loss and chest pains are some of the common symptoms. But these symptoms usually show up in the advanced stage, often making the treatment ineffective. Scientists are now developing a breathalyser device that can detect lung cancer in early stages. Lung cancer may be diagnosed on chest X-rays and CT scans. Biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination. Some of the latest advances in treatment are experimental drug called MK-3475, combination of drugs in targeted therapy against lung adenocarcinomas and therapeutic vaccine.

Source:http://health.india.com/news/inherited-mutated-gene-increases-lung-cancer-risk-in-women/