Northern Ontario researcher tests dietary supplements to reduce cancer risk from radon

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, but now a researcher at NOSM University in Sudbury is investigating if supplements could help reduce that risk.

Christopher Thome received $200,000 in funding from the Canadian Cancer Society to conduct his research on the radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium found in rock decays. 

Health Canada estimates that 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths are related to radon exposure in the home, where levels are typically higher in basements.

Thome is testing a natural supplement high in antioxidants on mice to see if it can successfully reduce lung cancer risk following high radon exposure.

"Our hypothesis is that by taking this antioxidant dietary supplement at the same time that you're being exposed to these high levels of radon gas, that we should see a reduction in some of the damage that's done to the lung tissue," he said.

When radiation interacts with our tissues it produces molecules called free radicals which can increase the risk of cancer.

Thome said there is research that antioxidants can protect cells from the effects of free radicals, but he added that his research is still in the early stages.

"We've done some controlled phase one clinical trials, but we don't have the data yet, the widespread human clinical data to release this supplement," he said.

Thome said he and his team are currently testing the supplement on mice that are exposed to radon, with a control group that is not taking the supplement.

"We'll be tracking things like lung cancer rates," Thome said.

"We'll look at the histology and the structure of the lungs and we can look at various genetic markers that are linked to cancer and other diseases."