Lung Cancer’s Genetic Ties: Women at the Forefront

Women are more likely than males to be genetically prone to lung cancer, according to data presented at the 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (1). Researchers also discovered evidence that a family history of cancer predicts lung cancer risk, particularly in patients aged 50 and younger.

The researchers employed big data and artificial intelligence to assess genetic vulnerability to lung cancer in this study. The researchers evaluated data from electronic health records, the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda database, and the Spanish Lung Cancer Group’s Thoracic Tumors Registry.

Familial Cancer History and Genetic Predisposition in Lung Cancer Patients

The study comprised 5824 lung cancer patients: 939 with a history of cancer, 4849 without, and 36 with an uncertain cancer history. According to the findings, women have a higher genetic predisposition to lung cancer (58.48%).

The researchers also discovered that 9.53% of lung cancer patients had an EGFR mutation, an ALK translocation, or a HER2 mutation, in addition to having at least one cancer-related family.

Younger Lung Cancer Patients and the Inherited Risk Linked to Smoking

According to study presenter Virginia Calvo de Juan, M.D., Ph.D., of the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda in Madrid, familial lung cancer was connected with an elevated risk of lung cancer due to smoking practices.