NYT
This Rare Gene Drastically Raises Lung Cancer Risk in People Who Never Smoked
Thursday, September 17, 2026
A rare genetic variant has been identified in people from Southern Appalachia that significantly increases lung cancer risk in nonsmokers, according to research findings. The gene has been documented at higher prevalence rates in this geographic population compared to other regions. Researchers characterized the mutation as conferring substantial cancer risk relative to other known genetic variants.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/science/lung-cancer-gene-mutation-risk.html
