The Impact of Environmental Exposures on Lung Cancer Recurrence and Progression

Abstract

Environmental exposures and their impact on lung cancer recurrence and progression risk has yet to be researched and understood. In this dissertation, three core studies were integrated to help address this gap in the current literature, and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of environmental exposures on lung cancer recurrence and progression risk. The first study examined the association between occupational exposure to lung carcinogens and lung cancer recurrence and progression. The second study focuses its attention onto one specific well-known lung carcinogen, asbestos, and how it impacts the risk of lung cancer recurrence and progression. Lastly, the third study investigates the associations of neighborhood socioeconomic status and lung cancer recurrence and progression. Overall, the findings from this dissertation provides insight as to the potential opportunities for intervention to reduce lung cancer recurrence and progression risk, specifically highlighting the importance of considering environmental exposures as potential factors in lung cancer recurrence and progression risk.