SHINES
MAIN HYPOTHESIS:
Over the past twenty years, we have seen the continued impact of lung cancer on our communities, with lung cancer causing 25% of all cancer-related deaths. This impact has continued despite a significant decrease in smoking, leading us to hypothesize that there are other, non-smoking factors that put a person at risk of developing lung cancer."
Research question: "What specific factors (such as family history of cancer, exposure to air pollution, and so on) are most influential on a person's risk of developing lung cancer
Formal lung cancer screening is starting to roll out across Ontario, with the goal to screen people proactively and catch cancer earlier. This program is only open to people who have smoked a lot in their lifetime. However, lung cancer in those who don’t smoke has become more common – currently, 60% of lung cancer patients Geoff sees at Princess Margaret would not qualify for lung cancer screening due to their minimal smoking history. The Screening High-risk Individuals who Never Smoked (SHINES) Study is investigating what risk factors aside from smoking influence lung cancer development. We are currently recruiting cancer-free individuals aged 40 – 80 who’ve never smoked (<100 lifetime cigarettes), and collecting information about their health, their family's health history, and their daily behaviours, to understand what else might contribute to developing lung cancer. Participants can enroll and fill out the study survey online through our website, www.shinesstudy.ca
A small group of participants will also be offered a one time low-dose chest CT as part of the research program.