A cancer expert has warned the public to check whether their homes are in areas of high radon risk, after a new study found that living in such regions increases the risk of a lung cancer diagnosis.

Up to 460,000 people, or about 10% of the population, are at risk of exposure to radon, a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer.

Homeowners are being encouraged to get their houses tested for radon, as part of the latest campaign by the Environmental Protection Agency.