Innovative Study Uses Toenail Clippings to Assess Long-Term Radon Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk

Scientists at the University of Calgary are exploring a groundbreaking method to evaluate individual exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Traditional risk assessments for lung cancer often rely on self-reported smoking history, which can be inaccurate or incomplete when it comes to environmental factors like radon. To address this, researchers are collecting toenail clippings from Canadians as biological archives of long-term radon exposure.

Radon is odorless and invisible, making it difficult for individuals to be aware of their exposure levels. Once inhaled, radon quickly decays into radioactive lead isotopes, which are stored in slow-shedding tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. The team, led by Dr. Goodarzi and his colleague Dr. Wieser, has developed a sensitive measurement technique to quantify radioactive lead isotopes in toenail samples. Their pilot study showed promising results, demonstrating that toenails can serve as a reliable indicator of lifetime radon exposure.

Building on this, a larger validation trial is underway, aiming to recruit up to 10,000 participants across Canada. Participants will test their homes for radon and send in toenail samples for analysis. The goal is to refine this method as a tool for better risk assessment, potentially leading to more inclusive early screening criteria for lung cancer, especially for non-smokers or those with unrecognized environmental exposures.

This approach could revolutionize personalized cancer prevention strategies by providing a non-invasive, scientifically validated way to measure long-term radon exposure. If successful, it may inform policy changes to incorporate environmental exposure data into lung cancer screening protocols, ultimately saving lives through earlier detection.