Genetic susceptibility to lung cancer: implications for smoking cessation

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. As information from the Human Genome Project becomes integrated into clinical practice, knowledge of genetic susceptibility for lung cancer will be used to identify persons at risk and to individualize treatments, such as prescribing chemoprevention. Nurses who assimilate genetic information into their practice can help patients to understand the implications of genetic susceptibility to lung cancer for their health and to reduce their disease risk with adaptive behaviors.