First study to show link between carcinogen byproduct and lung cancer rates . In a study , they tracked the carcinogen and nicotine levels in nearly 500 smokers through a simple urine test and discovered a link between the level of a specific carcinogen and lung cancer . Researchers tracked levels of byproduct ( NNAL ) in urine samples . Smokers with high levels of NNAL increased their risk of developing lung cancer . Test could identify high - risk smoking , aid in early detection and treatment . Bottom Line : This test may one day be used to identify smokers at high risk for lung cancer , but wo n't help against smoking 's other health hazards .
First study to show link between carcinogen byproduct and lung cancer rates . Researchers tracked levels of byproduct ( NNAL ) in urine samples . Smokers with high levels of NNAL increased their risk of developing lung cancer . Test could identify high - risk smoking , aid in early detection and treatment . Bottom Line : This test may one day be used to identify smokers at high risk for lung cancer , but wo n't help against smoking 's other health hazards .