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Glossary
The glossary explains some of the words used across this website and covers some key cancer and research terms, which primarily focus on lung cancer.
National cancer control plan (NCCP)
A formal government strategy outlining prevention and control activities, including national targets, that will be adopted to specifically address the burden of cancer in a country.1
See also ‘Non-communicable disease plan’
National screening programme
A nationwide screening programme directed towards the early detection of a specific disease or condition in an otherwise healthy population.2 National screening programmes may be organised or opportunistic.
See ‘Early detection’, ‘Opportunistic screening’ and ‘Organised screening’
Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK)
A biomarker that, when an error is present, can indicate non-small-cell lung cancer. It can be treated with medication that blocks the biomarker action, thus slowing cancer growth.3See also ‘biomarker’ and ‘non-small-cell lung cancer’
Never smoker
A person who has never smoked or has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes during their lifetime.4 There is contention around this term, as it can be seen as depersonalising.5 Where it is used on the website this is to reflect its usage in the source literature. The Lung Cancer Policy Network prefers the term ‘person who has never smoked’.
See also ‘Non-smoker’
Next generation sequencing (NGS)
DNA sequencing technology that allows the entire human genome to be sequenced within a day.6 This allows for a fast, in-depth look at the biological information that cells use to develop and operate.7
Nodule
A small area of opacity on a computed tomography scan that may or may not be lung cancer. There are several different type of nodule, and further imaging may be required to determine which nodules are benign or malignant masses of cells in the lung.8
See also ‘Benign tumour’ and ‘Incidental nodule management protocol’
Non-communicable disease (NCD) plan
A formal government strategy outlining prevention and control activities, including national targets, that will be adopted to address the burden of NCDs in a country.2 9
See also ‘National cancer control plan’
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
An umbrella term for any type of lung cancer other than small-cell lung cancer. The most common types of NSCLC are squamous cell carcinoma, large-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.10
See also ‘Small-cell lung cancer’
Non-smoker
A person who doesn’t currently smoke but may have smoked around 100 cigarettes at some point during their lifetime, perhaps intermittently or for a short period of time.4 This can include people who are former smokers and never smokers. There is contention around the use of non-smoker, as this term can be seen as depersonalising.5 Where it is used on the website this is to reflect its usage in the source literature. The Lung Cancer Policy Network prefers the term ‘person who does not smoke’.
See also 'Former smoker' and ‘Never smoker’
References
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). National cancer control planning. [Updated 11/02/2019]. Available from: https://www.uicc.org/national-cancer-control-planning [Accessed 04/03/2022]
World Health Organization. 2020. WHO report on cancer: setting priorities, investing wisely and providing care for all. Geneva: WHO
American Lung Association. 2022. NTRK and Lung Cancer. Available from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/biomarker-testing/ntrk-and-lung-cancer [Accessed 10/08/2023]
Yale Medicine. 2022. Fact sheet: Lung cancer in nonsmokers. [Updated 04/02/22]. Available from: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/lung-cancer-in-nonsmokers [Accessed 11/04/22]
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. 2021. IASLC Language Guide. Denver: IASLC
Behjati S, Tarpey PS. 2013. What is next generation sequencing? Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 98(6): 236-8
National Human Genome Research Institute. 2023. DNA Sequencing. Available from: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/DNA-Sequencing [Accessed 10/08/2023]
McNulty W, Baldwin D. 2019. Management of pulmonary nodules. BJR Open 1(1): 20180051
Bennett JE, Kontis V, Mathers CD, et al. 2020. NCD Countdown 2030: pathways to achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4. The Lancet 396(10255): 918-34
National Cancer Institute. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. [Updated 04/03/22]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq [Accessed 07/03/22]