Who is at Risk for Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease and often related to smoking. This kind of cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and almost impossible to cure. There is scientific proof that smoking is the highest risk factor for this disease but that doesn't mean that only smokers can suffer from this terrible disease. Everyone is at risk for lung cancer because there are some risks which we can't avoid. Passive smoking is one of these and we can't separate us from all the smokers in the world and there are a lot more risk factors for this disease.

There are several factors related to smoking which determine the risk factor of getting lung cancer. Smoking tobacco is the main risk factor to get lung cancer. Although cigarette smoking is considered as the unhealthiest form of smoking the reality is that smoking damage always your health. Cigars, pipe and even "the natural cigarette" cause health risks. The fact that smoking cigars has the reputation of causing less damage on your health is based on the fact that most of these smokers don't inhale the smoke in their lungs when they are puffing.

The frequency of smoking is important to determine your risk factor. Do you know smoking 5 cigars has the same risk than smoking one package of cigarettes? Almost 60 chemicals which cause cancer are found in tobacco.
Maybe you are surprised about the health risks of "the natural cigarette" but these are made without chemicals additives but using full tobacco leaves.

The length of time and the frequency determine the risk factor of getting lung cancer. The risk is a lot higher if you smoke by example 30 years instead of 15 years; even if you smoked the double quantity a day during these 15 years. When you start stopping with smoking the risk will decrease but it takes at least 15 years before it is the same like someone who never smoked. The risk of passive smoking can be found in the inhalation of tobacco smoke by all the people who are in the environment of smokers.

Although smoking is far the greatest risk of lung cancer there are a lot of other causes. Exposure to radon gas is the second highest risk factor for getting lung cancer with a risk factor of 1 to ten. This kind of gas comes from rocks or dust and will settle in your workplace or your house. If you live in an area with lots of granite you will have a higher risk factor than people who lives in places without dangerous substances.

Other dangerous chemical substances like asbestos, arsenic or some forms of silica and chromium can often be found in the ground if you live in the environment of factories where some substances like asbestos, arsenic, cadmium or some forms of silica and chromium are be used. Asbestos was in the past used for insulation of your house; so check if this chemical product is not used before you buy your house.

When you work in a company where some of these substances are used you will have a higher risk to developing lung cancer.

Your family history is also important to know for determining your risk factor. The increased risk can be inherited in your genes. When some of your first degree relatives had lung cancer there is a higher risk for developing lung cancer. It doesn't mean that you will get this disease but the risk factor is higher than in cases no one of your relatives got this disease. The family history can also be related on the place where you work or some habits like smoking.

Your diet is also important because there is a link between the intake of the necessary vitamins and lung cancer. A good balanced diet and exercise are always necessary to improve your resistance but fresh fruit and vegetables contain chemicals that can prevent cell damage. Of course if you continue smoking your risk of getting lung cancer doesn't reduce at all.

Air pollution can also cause lung cancer. There are many studies done which has proved that people who live in areas with high levels of nitrogen oxides have a higher of risk of developing lung cancer. These nitrogen oxides are mostly caused by some factories, cars or other vehicles.

Everyone is at risk for lung cancer but avoiding smoking, paying attention to all the risk factors and a well balanced diet is the key for limiting the risk.