Lung Cancer Risk Factors

Lung Cancer Risk Factors In addition to smoking, risk factors include occupational or environmental exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos (particularly among smokers), certain metals (chromium, cadmium, arsenic), some organic chemicals, radiation, air pollution, and a history of tuberculosis. The risk of getting lung cancer grows IMore than 150,000 Americans die every year from lung cancer – it's the most significantly with multiple causes common cause of cancer death in the U.S. For example, a cigarette smoker exposed to asbestos increases his/her risk of lung cancer by 50 to 84 times. More Americans die from lung cancer than breast cancer RISK FACTOR COMBINATIONS INCREASE ODDS OF LUNG CANCER NO RISK FACTORS ASBESTOS EXPOSURE SMOKER SMOKER + ASBESTOS NORMAL RISK OF CANCER бх THE RISK 11x THE RISK 59х THE RISK Ten percent (17,000 cases) of lung cancer occur in non-smokers. INon-smokers living with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk of developing lung cancer. Primary lung cancer occurs 50 to 100 times more frequently in asbestos-exposed individuals who smoke than in the nonsmoking, nonexposed population. Up to 3,000 yearly lung cancer deaths attributed to passive smoking, or the inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers. LUNG CANCER DEATHS ESTIMATED CANCER DEATHS IN THE U.S., BY TYPE, 2010: Lung cancer II57,300 Colorectal cancer 51,370 Breast cancer* 41,230 17,000 of these deaths are "never smokers" Pancreas cancer 36,800 Prostate cancer 32,050 *female THE NEXT-LARGEST CAUSES OF LUNG CANCER AFTER TOBACCO ASBESTOS is a compound that was widely used in the past as a thermal and acoustic insulation material. Microscopic fibers of asbestos break loose from the insulation material and are released into the air where they can be inhaled into the lungs. RADON is a gaseous decay product of uranium-238 and radium-226, which is capable of damaging respiratory epithelium via the emission of alpha DANGE particles. There is an interactive ASBESTOS effect between radon exposure and cigarette smoking. This chemical is mostly found in the basements of peoples'homes. RADON GAS IAsbestos fibers can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure. I Smoke from cigarettes weakens the lungs and decreases their ability to remove asbestos fibers. With the weakened lungs, the asbestos fibers are more likely to stay in the lungs and result in lung cancer. I Radon gas exposure is at least partially responsible for 12% (15,000 to 22,000) of total lung cancer deaths PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Get regular checkups to catch lung cancer at earlier stages when survival rate is highest I Both lung cancer and a type of cancer known as mesothelioma are associated with exposure to asbestos. IThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S.contains dangerous levels of radon gas. Encourage others to get regular checkups Don't smoke and stay away from second hand smoke IToday, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries, but is still legal in the United States. Stay away from pollutants • For example, old construction materials with asbestos Oa-o •Check basements for radon emissions • Limit exposure on high pollution days SOURCES: National Cancer Institute: American Cancer Society; medicinenet.com/WebMD, U.S Environmental Protection Agency RADO