title: Radon testing in rapid access lung clinics: an opportunity for secondary prevention.
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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland. robertsmyth23@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.affiliation: Environmental Protection Agency, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wiseman
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Regan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011886:Radon
keywords: Lung cancer; Radon; Screening; Smoking; Smoking cessation