Causes of Lung Cancer and Risk factors

  • Lung Cancer
    Lung cancer or carcinoma of the lung is uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining the air passages. It is the leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Lung cancer is strongly related to cigarette smoking. 90% of lung cancer is caused by smoking though non-smokers can also have lung cancer.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 26 September 2015

You are at risk of developing lung cancer if, you are: 

  • A smoker: Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Smokers are at 15-20 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and the number of years you have smoked. Doctors calculate risk in pack years (number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked). Risk increases with even 10 pack years of smoking history. Even if you have quit smoking 15 years ago, you are still at risk. Cigarette smoke contains more than 60 carcinogens, including nitrosamine, benzopyrene, radioisotopes and nicotine. Pipe, cigar smoking and marijuana smoking also increase the risk of lung cancer.
  • Live or work with a smoker: Passive smoking is inhalation of smoke from a smoker while living and working together.  A smoker’s spouse is at 24% higher risk than a  non-smoker’s spouse.
  • Exposed to asbestos, radon gas and arsenic: Asbestos is a group of minerals that occurs naturally in the environment as a bundle of fibres. Asbestos is used in many industries such as construction and building, roofing, fireproofing and sound absorption. Radon gas is a natural odourless, colourless radioactive gas that is a decay product of uranium found in the crust of the earth. Radon gas can travel in the soil and reach homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains or other openings.
  • Exposed to air pollution: Air pollution from vehicles (diesel exhaust) or industry can raise the risk of lung cancer. Indoor air pollution such as burning of wood, charcoal, dung or crop residue for cooking also increases the risk for cancer.
  • Have a family history of lung cancer in close relatives
  • Have a history of lung disease: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, tuberculosis increase the risk for lung cancer in non-smokers.
  • Have had radiation to the lungs due to cancer treatmnet in that area, such as breast cancer or Hodgkin's.
  • Aged between 55 to 79
  • Take beta-carotene supplements and are a smoker.
Changed
12/Jan/2019
Community
Cancer
Condition
Lung Cancer

Stories

  • Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
    There are usually no symptoms in the early stage of lung cancer. In most cases, diagnosis is made after the disease has advanced. Common symptoms include: Having a cough most of the time Cough that does not go away after 2-3 weeks or becomes worse Pain in chest, shoulder, back or arms, which is not associated with coughing Shortness of breath Coughing of blood or blood in sputum An ache when breathing or coughing Recurrent chest infection such as pneumonia Hoarseness of voice Loss of appetite…
  • Causes of Lung Cancer and Risk factors
    You are at risk of developing lung cancer if, you are:  A smoker: Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Smokers are at 15-20 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and the number of years you have smoked. Doctors calculate risk in pack years (number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked). Risk increases with even 10 pack years of smoking history. Even if…
  • Before I go - Time warps for a young surgeon with metastatic lung cancer
    By Paul Kalanithi, M.D., a neurosurgeon and writer. Though never a smoker, he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2013. Paul died in March, 2015. He is survived by his wife Lucy and their daughter Cady. A few paragraphs that stood out for me: Six years passed in a flash, but then, heading into chief residency, I developed a classic constellation of symptoms — weight loss, fevers, night sweats, unremitting back pain, cough — indicating a diagnosis quickly confirmed: metastatic lung cancer…
  • Graphic of a lung
    Lung Cancer - An Overview
    Lung cancer or carcinoma of the lung is uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining the air passages. It is the leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Lung cancer is strongly related to cigarette smoking. 90% of lung cancer is caused by smoking though non-smokers can also have lung cancer. Incidence of lung cancer varies greatly between countries depending on their smoking habits. While lung cancer cases are decreasing in developed countries thanks to…