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22nd June, 2009, 05:20 AM
THOUSANDS of smokers could be saved by a new ?300 DNA test which rates their chances of getting lung cancer.
A patient's saliva is collected with a mouth swab - and lab tests show the likelihood of that person developing the disease.
Some genes make a smoker TEN TIMES more likely to become a victim.
The Respiragene test combines DNA analysis with other risk factors to come up with a score.
In trials, half of all smokers scored under three, a moderate risk.
But 30 per cent scored a "high" four to five.
And 20 per cent scored six to 12, a very high risk.
These people are 200 TIMES more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker.
The test's developers, based in New Zealand, hope it will help smokers quit.
When quizzed, 88 per cent of users said they would be more likely to stop if tests showed they had an above average risk of lung cancer.
Researcher Dr Robert Young, of the University of Auckland, said: "All smokers face an increased risk of developing lung cancer, along with other health problems.
"But for some the risk is much greater than for others. With this test, doctors will be able to identify those at greatest risk while there is still time to help."
Despite a drop in smokers, lung cancer still kills nearly 35,000 people a year in the UK - one every 15 minutes.
About nine out of ten cases of the disease are linked with smoking.
But genetic factors also play a part, which is why not all heavy smokers fall victim.
Anyone who stops smoking can expect their health to improve.
Two years without ciggies halves the threat of coronary heart disease.
Dr Young said the ?299 Respiragene test could also spot those who might benefit from a follow-up check, so cancer can be diagnosed early.
It is thought unlikely that the test will be available on the NHS any time soon.
However, a recent report said illnesses linked to smoking place a "huge burden" on the Health Service, costing more than ?5billion a year and draining 5.5 per cent of the overall budget.
A patient's saliva is collected with a mouth swab - and lab tests show the likelihood of that person developing the disease.
Some genes make a smoker TEN TIMES more likely to become a victim.
The Respiragene test combines DNA analysis with other risk factors to come up with a score.
In trials, half of all smokers scored under three, a moderate risk.
But 30 per cent scored a "high" four to five.
And 20 per cent scored six to 12, a very high risk.
These people are 200 TIMES more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker.
The test's developers, based in New Zealand, hope it will help smokers quit.
When quizzed, 88 per cent of users said they would be more likely to stop if tests showed they had an above average risk of lung cancer.
Researcher Dr Robert Young, of the University of Auckland, said: "All smokers face an increased risk of developing lung cancer, along with other health problems.
"But for some the risk is much greater than for others. With this test, doctors will be able to identify those at greatest risk while there is still time to help."
Despite a drop in smokers, lung cancer still kills nearly 35,000 people a year in the UK - one every 15 minutes.
About nine out of ten cases of the disease are linked with smoking.
But genetic factors also play a part, which is why not all heavy smokers fall victim.
Anyone who stops smoking can expect their health to improve.
Two years without ciggies halves the threat of coronary heart disease.
Dr Young said the ?299 Respiragene test could also spot those who might benefit from a follow-up check, so cancer can be diagnosed early.
It is thought unlikely that the test will be available on the NHS any time soon.
However, a recent report said illnesses linked to smoking place a "huge burden" on the Health Service, costing more than ?5billion a year and draining 5.5 per cent of the overall budget.