This study demonstrates the importance of familial factors in the general development of cancer. These susceptibility factors can be environmental but are more likely to be influenced by genetic factors because genes control pathways common to a number of cancers.
This says individuals might be genetically predisposed to more than one type of cancer. That tells us that there is a common pathway for these cancers.
Relatives could be aggressively advised to stop smoking or, if lung cancer screening is recommended at some point in the future, this is a high-risk group that could be considered for regular screening.
The genetics of susceptibility plays a role in never-smokers developing cancer.
The findings suggest that genetic factors play an important role in lung cancer among never-smokers.
