While some risk factors for lung cancer may be out of your control, others such as smoking are within your power to change. Here are risk factors to keep in mind.

Smoking and Lung Cancer

Smoking tobacco is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. The longer you smoke, and the more you smoke each day, the higher your risk. Cigarettes are the main culprit, but cigar and pipe smoking are almost as likely to cause the disease. Smoking is linked to about 8 in 10 lung cancer deaths.

Quitting smoking, even after many years, can substantially lower your risk for lung cancer. Ask your healthcare provider for help quitting or visit Aultman.org/TobaccoCessation for more information on Aultman Hospital’s free tobacco cessation program. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for information about how to quit smoking.

Other Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

While people who smoke tend to be at the greatest risk, those who have never smoked at all can still get lung cancer. Other risk factors include:

Secondhand smoke. Breathing in other people’s smoke increases your own risk for lung cancer. But the truth is, it can be hard to avoid – especially for children of people who smoke. Keeping your home (and car) smoke-free is a great first step to protecting your loved ones.

Radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from rocks and soil. Outside, levels of radon are rarely a concern. It becomes an issue when it gathers in the lower parts of buildings, such as basements. People who have lived for a long time in homes with high levels of radon are at a greater risk for lung cancer. Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer in the United States.

If your home has high levels of radon, you can fix the problem. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has resources at epa.gov/radon.

Asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks and soil. Breathing it in can increase one’s risk for lung cancer.

For years, manufacturers have used asbestos in insulation and other products. As such, people who work with these products face a risk for exposure. Fortunately, standards have been set to lower these risks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has more information at osha.gov/asbestos.

Chemicals. Exposure to some chemicals can cause lung cancer. This includes arsenic, silica, coal products and other chemicals that are mostly found in the workplace. If you work with chemicals, be sure to follow relevant health and safety guidelines.

Air pollution. Air pollution from transportation, industrial fumes and wildfires can increase one’s risk for lung cancer.

Radiation therapy to the chest. Radiation therapy to the chest can be a necessary form of treatment for diseases like breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Unfortunately, patients who have received it are also at a higher risk for lung cancer.

Personal history of lung cancer. People who have had lung cancer are at risk of getting another lung cancer.

Family history of lung cancer. People with a family history of lung cancer have an increased risk for lung cancer. This is especially true if a parent, brother or sister had it. Some of this risk might be from shared household risk factors, such as tobacco smoke or radon exposure. Some of the risk might also be from shared genes in the family.

Evaluating your risk factors. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors. You may find you can take steps to lower your risk.

Screening Can Save Your Life

If lung cancer is detected early, when it’s small and hasn’t had the chance to spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully. This is where screening comes in.

Aultman offers low-dose CT screenings for people at high risk of lung cancer between the ages of 50 and 80 with a history of smoking one pack per day for at least 20 years or have quit smoking in the last 15 years. Low-dose CT scanners produce high-quality images while reducing radiation exposure by 70-80%, and the scan is usually covered by insurance. Check with your physician to see if you qualify for this very important screening.