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Lung Cancer - What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
- Tobacco use. Smoking and chewing tobacco are related to
developing lung cancer, as well as to cancer of the mouth and throat. Over 85%
of lung cancers are related to smoking.2 More than
half of the people who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer are former smokers.
Smoking unfiltered, high-tar cigarettes may put you at a higher risk than
smoking filtered or low-tar cigarettes, although this has not been proved. The
risk of developing lung cancer increases:
- The longer you smoke.
- The more cigarettes you smoke each day.
- Exposure to tobacco smoke, such as living with a smoker. If you live with a smoker, you have 2 to 3 times the risk for lung cancer compared with a person who lives in a nonsmoking environment.5 About 25% of nonsmokers who develop lung cancer probably get it from being exposed to secondhand smoke.3
- Marijuana use. Smoking one marijuana cigarette, or a joint, may affect the lungs as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes.8
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic, asbestos, radioactive dust, or radon.
- Radiation exposure from occupational, medical, or environmental sources.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
June 04, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
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