How Does Temporal Relationship Affect Cancer Diagnosis?
The time between exposure to a risk factor and the appearance of cancer symptoms can vary widely. For example:
Lung Cancer: Often has a latency period of 20-30 years from initial exposure to smoking before diagnosis. Mesothelioma: Caused by asbestos exposure, can have a latency period of 20-50 years. Leukemia: Certain types can appear relatively quickly after exposure to high levels of radiation or chemotherapy, within a few years.
This variability in latency periods underscores the importance of long-term follow-up in individuals exposed to known carcinogens.
