Lung Cancer

Lung cancer affects both men and women, and is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Every year, more people die from lung cancer than from breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers your risk for the disease. The more you smoke, the higher the risk. The age you were when you first took up smoking also affects your risk—the earlier you started, the higher your risk of developing lung cancer.

Some people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer, too. Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) also increases your risk of lung cancer. Sadly, some 3,000 non-smoking adults die every year due to secondhand smoke.

Lung Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease

• Age: Your risk of developing lung cancer grows with exposure to smoking. The longer you smoke, the more you are at risk. Lung cancer rarely affects adults 45 or younger.
• Environmental: High levels of air pollution, arsenic in drinking water, radon gas, secondhand smoke, and asbestos have all been linked to lung cancer. If you know you have been exposed to one or more of these factors, talk to your doctor about your risk.
• Family history: If you grew up in a home with a smoker who developed lung cancer, you may be at greater risk (secondhand smoke)—even if you haven’t smoked a day in your life.
• Radiation therapy: If you received radiation therapy to the lungs, you are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The amount varies depending on how much radiation your lungs received. Talk to your doctor about your level of risk.
• Materials exposure: Exposure to elements such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust have been linked to lung cancer. If you know you have been exposed to one or more of these factors, talk to your doctor about your risk.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

How can you tell if you have lung cancer? Only a doctor can tell for sure. Frequently, lung cancer is a hidden disease, and is only found after an x-ray has been taken for another reason.

The above symptoms could be part of other medical conditions. If you are concerned about a particular health symptom you are experiencing, talk to your doctor.

• American Lung Association
• LungCancer.org
• Small cell lung cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer

This is a support group for cancer survivors and people with cancer of all types.