A gene that can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked has been pinpointed by scientists.

Mutations in the gene - known as GPC5 - could lead to a 'significantly higher risk' of lung cancer among those who have never touched tobacco.

The research suggests that targetting the gene could lead to new treatments for the disease and identify high risk patients earlier…

An international team of scientists, led by Ping Yang from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, New York, studied people who have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

Daily Mail, 3/23/2010

Tags: Cancer, Dr. Ping Yang, Lung Cancer, non-smokers