Epidemiology, prevention, and prognostic factors in lung cancer

Recent studies confirm that the only effective strategy for control of lung cancer is prevention, with abolition of smoking as the preliminary strategy. Lung cancer is beginning to decline in men, but is still rising in women, whose risk from cigarette smoking per amount smoked is now recognized to be similar to that of men. Passive smoke exposure increases risk in nonsmokers and probably smokers as well. Radon exposure increases risk but the effects in the general population are not quantified. Occupational factors continue to be evaluated while some dietary factors, especially from plant foods, are protective. There is probably a genetic contribution, but its nature is still under investigation. Prognostic factors are being evaluated with increased sophistication, with potential for contribution to stratification in clinical trials.