Urine test may provide early lung cancer detection  2009-04-21
08:01  Researchers have uncovered the answer to why some smokers
develop lung cancer, but not others. Smoking does increase lung
cancer risk, but a new study shows that the presence of a
metabolite in urine is associated with higher risk of lung
cancer. The findings could lead to early detection and treatment
of lung cancer, improving outcomes.  Jian-Min Yuan, Ph.D., M.D.,
associate professor of public health at the University of
Minnesota says, "Smoking leads to lung cancer, but there are
about 60 possible carcinogens in tobacco smoke, and the more
accurately we can identify the culprit, the better we will
become at predicting risk. A history of smoking has always been
thought of as a predictor of lung cancer, but it is actually not
very accurate." Now scientists believe they could predict lung
cancer by measuring a urine metabolite.  Studies have shown that
the metabolite, NNAL, present in the urine of lab animals,
induces lung cancer. Until now