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Radon testing in rapid access lung clinics: an opportunity for secondary prevention

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and a level 1 carcinogen. It acts synergistically with cigarette smoke to cause lung cancer. In Ireland, radon is estimated to be associated with 13 % of all lung cancers. Rapid access lung cancer clinics (RALC’s) were established in the UK and Ireland to improve lung cancer management outcomes. There has been no attempt to date to provide advice on household radon exposure assessments in this setting.

Aims

We performed a prospective feasibility study of radon assessment in our RALC to test the hypothesis that patients would avail of this service and that it would provide an opportunity for secondary prevention in at risk persons.

Methods

We investigated household radon levels in consecutive patients who were newly referred with symptoms of lung cancer to the RALC in Galway University Hospital, Ireland over a 6-month period.

Results

Of 50 patients enrolled, 42 returned valid results. Overall 21 % of patients had radon levels recorded above the national reference level. Only 5 % of patients were aware of the association between radon gas and lung cancer. Smokers were significantly less likely to engage fully in radon testing.

Conclusions

The development of RALC’s offers a novel opportunity to integrate the concepts of radon exposure, cigarette smoking and the development of lung cancer, and to reinforce this message in the minds of at risk patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland

    R. Smyth, E. Wiseman, D. Sharpe, D. Breen & A. O’Regan

  2. Environmental Protection Agency, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland

    S. Long

Authors
  1. R. Smyth
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  2. S. Long
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  3. E. Wiseman
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  4. D. Sharpe
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  5. D. Breen
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  6. A. O’Regan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Smyth.

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Conflict of interest

There are no personal or financial conflicts of interest with any of the authors.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Smyth, R., Long, S., Wiseman, E. et al. Radon testing in rapid access lung clinics: an opportunity for secondary prevention. Ir J Med Sci 186, 485–487 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-016-1448-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-016-1448-0

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