Although around 10% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked in the vast majority of cases smoking is the main cause of someone’s lung cancer. Lung Cancer has always been more common in men than women due to the smoking rates being higher in men. Now as more women smoke lung cancer is nearly as common in women. In fact lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer in the UK.
Smokers who smoke between one and fourteen cigarettes a day have eight times the risk of getting lung cancer compared to non-smokers. This risk increases the more cigarettes smoked. Although smoking cigarettes is the main cause of lung cancer, pipe and cigar smokers are still more at risk than non-smokers.
Passive smoking
More is now known about the risk of passive smoking. It is now acknowledged that the more a non-smoker, be it child or adult, is exposed to cigarette smoke the greater the risk of developing lung cancer.
Other risk factors
The following things can increase the lung cancer risk, but this risk is far less than smoking.
Exposure to radon gas
In certain parts of the UK where there is a lot of granite, a naturally occuring radioactive gas called Radon gas can seep up out of the soil into the foundations of buildings. If you think you are living in an area where this could be occuring you can contact the Health Protection Agency.
Chemical Exposure
Prolonged exposure during someones working life to a number of chemical substances such as asbestos, fumes, herbicides etc can increase the risk of lung cancer. This is certainly the case when combined with cigarette smoking.
Family History
Not a lot is known about the impact of family history and a diagnosis of lung cancer. Researchers are presently looking into whether there may be a faulty lung cancer gene.
Diet and lung cancer
As with all cancers diet is seen an important tool in the fight against the disease. In order to stay healthy we should all try to do the following:
- Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables (5 portions a day).
- Reduce our fat intake.
- Eat less salt and sugar.
- Reduce our alcohol consumption.