A quantitative method for assessing smoke associated molecular damage in lung cancers

Tobacco exposure is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancers. However, the use of other tobacco products such as cigars or pipes also increases the risk for lung cancer. Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which are poisons, and more than 70 are known to be carcinogenic (CDC.gov). Cigarette smokers are 15–30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than lifetime never smokers