when it was discovered that there was an increased lung cancer risk among never-smok- ing women who were married to smokers, and at present accounts for a total of approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. In fact, Harvey Pass, M.D. nonsmoking spouses who are married to cig- arette smokers are about 30% more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmoking spouses who are mar- ried to nonsmokers. It turns out that these are molec- ular markers of the damage done by the carcinogens in tobacco smoke, and these markers may give insight into susceptibility for cancer development. Studies have verified that these markers as well as other gene mutations are higher in women than in men for the same level of smoking. Moreover, researchers have also described genes which help get rid of these carcinogens and thus will influence our inherent susceptibility to smoke carcinogens, and are search- ing for gender differences among these genes. What about hormones? Elegant work performed and reported by Dr. Jill Siegfried from Pittsburgh and Dr. Ann Schwartz from Detroit have shown that the lungs as well as lung cancers have estrogen receptors like breast tissue does, and that differences in the capacity to control estrogens may impact on lung cancer risk, especially in women. Even more intriguing is that the previously mentioned sus- ceptibility genes may interact with estrogens differently in females compared to males, possibly explaining some of the gender dif- ferences for lung cancer rates. So how should women take a pro-active role in battling the lung cancer epidemic? First of all take that most important step to recog- nize that one of the best ways to decrease lung cancer risk is to stop smoking! Seek profes- sional help from experts who can support you through the difficult times during withdraw- al, and who can monitor your progress if you need pharmacologic help to stop smoking. If you are concerned as a present or former smoker about your risk for lung cancer, you can enroll in either of two national pro- grams which are investigating whether computerized tomography (CT) scans can detect lung cancer early and possibly increase the number of patients surviving the disease after treatment. Ask your doctor about the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial sponsored by the NIH or the International Early Lung Cancer Action Project at selected sites across the U.S. — Harvey Pass, M.D. Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute contemporary I transitional I traditional I custom 'remodeling itche ; office & mor Call to schedule your free in-home consultation phone (888) 532-4118 licensed & insured Experience One of Mid-Michigan's Best-Kept Secrets! What is the update on estrogen therapy? Lush rolling greens and meticulously groomed fairways. Enjoy our championship golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus & Recently, the news has been filled with concerning and confusing reports about the risks of hormone therapy (supplementing the body's own estrogen) for postmenopausal women. Although no one-size-fits- all answer exists, Daniel Hayes, M.D., Clinical Director of the Breast Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, addresses a few questions to help women sort out the facts. Desmond Muirhead, featuring 13 water holes and our signature "Heather" hole. while dining on our outdoor terrace or in Bay City, Michigan the elegance of Heatherfield's Restaurant to one of our signature entrees from our award winning Chef Voted one of Michigan's "Most Romantic" restaurants Hormone therapy fell out of favor almost overnight. What happened?: Since its develop- ment nearly 20 years ago, estrogen therapy (ET, also called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) has (continued on page 10) STYLE AT THE JN • OCTOBER 2003 • 9