Tobacco smoke
Tobacco is responsible for the majority of lung cancer cases and the most important risk factor. Approximately 80%-90% of recently diagnosed individuals are either current or former smokers, while 10%-20% have never smoked.
The harmful substances in tobacco smoke damage lung cells, cause mutations and predispose our lungs to other environmental factors responsible for cancer (e.g. asbestos and radon). Various forms of smoking, including cigarettes, pipe, and cigars, can initiate or accelerate lung cancer. If you have a smoking history and worry about getting lung cancer, speak to your doctor. They can offer further guidance, assess and potentially enroll you in a screening program.
Passive smoking can also cause lung cancer in non-smokers. The more you are exposed to tobacco smoke, the more likely you are to develop the disease. While it is certainly better to refrain from smoking, you can still reduce the risk by quitting. It is never too late to quit smoking! Quitting smoking has important health benefits, even if you already have lung cancer. The chances of survival are higher while recurrence is reduced, even if you quit after being diagnosed. There are available smoking cessation programs to help you quit smoking.
Air pollution
Air pollution which may contain pollutants like diesel emissions, dust, solvents, and tiny airborne particles such as sulfur dioxide and smog, can raise the chances of getting lung cancer. Smokers face an even greater risk from air pollution. It is the responsibility of the State to control air pollution, as most sources of pollution are beyond the control of citizens. Indoor air pollution is also a risk, particularly for people who use kerosene, oil, coal, or biomass stoves for cooking or heating their homes.
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. It naturally forms in the ground, particularly in granitic rocks. Exposure to radon can harm lung cells, increase the risk of lung cancer, with smokers being at higher risk. Radon ranks as the second leading cause of lung cancer. It can seep out of the ground and infiltrate building walls through cracks, accumulating in high concentrations indoors. Since radon levels cannot be determined without testing, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission recommends measuring radon levels.
Αsbestos and other cancer-causing substances
A number of professions (e.g. workers in the construction field and in the chemical industry) have an increased risk of lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel, soot, tar and other substances can cause lung cancer. The risk is higher for those with chronic exposure to these substances and more so for smokers. It is important to follow all safety instructions provided by your employer. It is also advisable to consult your doctor about any additional precautions you should take if you are exposed to cancer-causing substances at your workplace.
Family or personal lung cancer background
People who have first-degree relatives (father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter) who have had lung cancer may be at increased risk of developing the disease. This is particularly relevant if more than one family member has been affected by the disease or if a relative was diagnosed at a young age. The increased risk may be the result of exposure to the same environmental risk factors, including cigarette smoke, or in rare cases, an inherited mutation. People who have had lung cancer are at increased risk of developing a second lung tumor; these chances are increased in smokers.
Αge 65 and over
Age is a risk factor for lung cancer. More than two-thirds of people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older at the time of diagnosis.
Radiotherapy
People who have undergone chest radiotherapy to treat cancers other than lung cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. This includes patients who have been treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and women with breast cancer who have been treated with radiatiotherapy after mastectomy. Lung cancer can take many years to develop. We should Note that modern radiotherapy treatments may be able to reduce this risk, but such is still present and you should discuss this with your doctor.
Lung disease background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema, or pulmonary fibrosis, which causes lung tissue scarring increases the risk of lung cancer. Smoking patients are at increased risk.
Nutrition
Health experts recommend consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to lower the chances of cancer development and ensure our bodies receive all essential nutrients to be healthy.
The quality and consistency of the water we ingest significantly impacts our health. While municipal water undergoes testing to regulate arsenic levels, such
may not extend to private sources such as wells. Neglecting water quality control increases lung cancer risk over time.
Research indicates that individuals who smoke or have been exposed to asbestos and consume high doses of beta-carotene supplements over an extended period are at a higher risk of lung cancer. It is therefore suggested to avoid such supplements. However, it is generally considered safe to consume foods naturally rich in beta-carotene.
Lack of physical activity
Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, along with other forms of cancer. Both smokers and non-smokers can experience the advantages of physical exercise, as it enhances the immune system and protects against all forms of disease.
Research is providing more evidence about the factors which lead to lung cancer and additional ways to reduce the risk.
Source: LUNGEVITY https://www.lungevity.org/screening-for-lung-cancer/learn-about-your-risk/risk-factors
