Lung Cancer Prevention: Reducing Home Exposure to Radon and Secondhand Smoke

People who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke and exposed to radon are more likely to get lung cancer than those not exposed to tobacco and radon combined. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by the decomposition of uranium in the ground. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 10% of lung cancer cases in the United States each year. The research will (a) design and test a method to screen homes for secondhand smoke and radon; and (b) study whether parents who view radon and tobacco smoke as risks for lung cancer and those who are confident in their ability to reduce lung cancer risk will be more likely to take action to fix radon and institute smoke-free home policies. The long-term goal of this research is to reduce the risk of lung cancer by advising patients to screen their homes for radon and secondhand smoke and to take action to reduce exposure to both radon and secondhand smoke. The study will provide free test kits to 70 parents for screening the home for radon and secondhand smoke. After the results are analyzed, parents will be informed of the results, provided information about the combined health risks from radon and secondhand smoke exposure in the home, and action steps they can take for reducing the risk of lung cancer. Parents will take part in two telephone interviews, one before testing their homes and one four months after receiving results of the home screening tests, information, and advice. This research study will provide the foundation for a proposed larger study to test Freedom from Radon Exposure and Smoking in the Home (FRESH), a program designed for doctors and nurses to help patients prevent lung cancer.