Abstract

This study compares the performance of five machine learning algorithms—logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, gradient boosting, and neural networks—for lung cancer prediction using demographic, lifestyle, and medical data from the UCI Machine Learning Repository. Gradient boosting and random forests achieved the highest accuracy (89% and 87%, respectively) and AUC-ROC scores (0.93 and 0.92), while neural networks reached 90% accuracy but presented interpretability limitations. Key predictors included smoking history, chronic disease, and respiratory symptoms, aligning with established risk factors. Ensemble methods, particularly gradient boosting and random forests, provided an optimal balance of accuracy and interpretability, highlighting their potential for clinical applications in early lung cancer detection.