Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer - What Are the Risk Factors for Lung Cancer? Tobacco Smoking Smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lung cancer.About 87% of lung cancers are thought to result from smoking or passive exposure to tobacco smoke. The longer you smoke and the more packs per day you smoke, the greater your risk. If you stop smoking before a cancer develops, your damaged lung tissue gradually starts to return to normal. Ten years after stopping smoking, your risk is reduced to one-third of what it would have been if you continued to smoke. Cigar smoking and pipe smoking are almost as likely to cause lung cancer as cigarette smoking. There is no evidence that smoking low tar cigarettes reduces the risk of lung cancer. If you don’t smoke, but breathe in the smoke of others (called secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke) you are also at increased risk for lung cancer. Asbestos If you are an asbestos worker, you are about 7 times more likely to die of lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos fibers is an important risk factor for lung cancer. Radon When uranium breaks down naturally it produces radon, a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. Outdoors, there is so little radon that it is not dangerous. But indoors radon can be more concentrated and become a possible risk for cancer. Recently, concerns have been raised about houses in some parts of the United States built over soil with natural uranium deposits that can create high indoor radon levels. Studies from these areas have found that the risk of lung cancer may be doubled or even tripled if you have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house. This is a very small increase though, when it is compared to the lung cancer risk from tobacco. Cancer-causing Agents in the Workplace Other carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) found in the workplace that can increase your lung cancer risk include: - radioactive ores such as uranium - inhaled chemicals or minerals such as arsenic, beryllium. vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers - fuels such as gasoline - diesel exhaust Marijuana Radiation Therapy to the Lung Recurring Inflammation Talc and Talcum Powder Other Mineral Exposures Personal and Family History Diet Some reports have indicated that a diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase the chances of getting cancer if you are exposed to tobacco smoke. Evidence is growing that fruits and vegetables may protect you against lung cancer. Air Pollution (Get more detail from http://www.cancer.org)