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Real members of MyLungCancerTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Is the kras mutation associated with smoking? Radon? Thanks

A MyLungCancerTeam Member asked a question 💭
Westchester, NY
April 13, 2025
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MyLungCancerTeam

The KRAS mutation is found in approximately 30% of people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which makes up about 80% of all lung cancer cases. Regarding radon, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing about 21,000 deaths annually. Radon works by damaging DNA in lung cells through Show Full Answer

The KRAS mutation is found in approximately 30% of people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which makes up about 80% of all lung cancer cases. Regarding radon, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing about 21,000 deaths annually. Radon works by damaging DNA in lung cells through radioactive particles, which can lead to gene mutations that may cause cancer. When combined with smoking, the risk becomes even higher - about 26% of smokers exposed to high radon levels develop lung cancer, compared to 3.6% of non-smokers exposed to similar levels.

April 13, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

Thanks for your response.
I smoked for 15 years and that was 31 years ago

April 13, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

You'll find a lot of people who quit eons ago still developed lung cancer. Also a lot of people who never smoked. Kras is a mutation that is linked to tobacco.

April 13, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

I was told at the beginning when they did the genetic tests that kras is solidly connected to tobacco. They didn't say anything about radon.

April 13, 2025

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