Glossary

The glossary explains some of the words used across this website and covers some key cancer and research terms, which primarily focus on lung cancer.

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Risk factor

Conditions that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to a disease. Risk factors for lung cancer include lifestyle (e.g. smoking history, physical activity),12 personal (e.g. age, other respiratory diseases, family history of lung cancer) and environment factors (e.g. air pollution, passive smoking, occupational exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos).13 See also ‘Asbestos’, ‘Carcinogens’ and ‘Risk prediction model’

Risk prediction model

A statistical model also known as a risk calculator that combines different risk factors (e.g. age, sex, family history of cancer) to estimate the probability of an individual developing lung cancer. It produces a risk score which may be used to determine if an individual is eligible for lung cancer screening.14 See also ‘Risk factor’

ROS1

A biomarker that, when an error is present, can indicate non-small-cell lung cancer. The detection of this gene can help to tailor lung cancer treatment. It can be treated with medication that blocks the biomarker action, thus slowing cancer growth.15 See also ‘biomarker’ and ‘non-small-cell lung cancer’

References

  1. WebMD. What is a radiographer? [Updated 28/06/21].  Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-radiographer [Accessed 12/04/22]

  2. American College of Radiologists. What Is a Radiologist?  Available from: https://www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/Practice-Toolkit/Patient-Resources/About-Radiology [Accessed 30/03/22]

  3. van Timmeren JE, Cester D, Tanadini-Lang S, et al. 2020. Radiomics in medical imaging—“how-to” guide and critical reflection. Insights into Imaging 11(1): 91

  4. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. 2022. Radiation Therapist. Available from: https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/radiation-therapist/ [Accessed 10/08/2023]

  5. Aberle DR, Adams AM, Berg CD, et al. 2011. Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening. New England Journal of Medicine 365(5): 395-409

  6. Pollock M, Craig R, Chojecki D, et al. 2018. Initiatives to accelerate the diagnostic phase of cancer care: an environmental scan. Edmonton, Canada: Institute of Health Economics

  7. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.  Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms [Accessed 04/03/22]

  8. Cancer.net. 2022. What is Cancer Rehabilitation? Available from: https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/rehabilitation/what-cancer-rehabilitation [Accessed 10/08/2023]

  9. American Lung Association. 2021. RET and Lung Cancer. Available from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/biomarker-testing [Accessed 10/08/2023]

  10. Learning Hub. Prospective vs retrospective studies.  Available from: https://learning.closer.ac.uk/learning-modules/introduction/types-of-longitudinal-research/prospective-vs-retrospective-studies/ [Accessed 07/03/22]

  11. Ranganathan P, Aggarwal R. 2018. Study designs: Part 1 – An overview and classification. Perspect Clin Res 9(4): 184-86

  12. International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2020. World cancer report: Cancer research for cancer prevention. Lyon: IARC

  13. Corrales L, Rosell R, Cardona AF, et al. 2020. Lung cancer in never smokers: The role of different risk factors other than tobacco smoking. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 148: 102895

  14. Toumazis I, Bastani M, Han SS, et al. 2020. Risk-based lung cancer screening: A systematic review. Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 147: 154-86

  15. American Lung Association. 2022. ROS1 and Lung Cancer. Available from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/biomarker-testing/ros1 [Accessed 10/08/2023]

The Lung Cancer Policy Network
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