Sometimes there are other factors that can put a woman at risk for lung cancer. Secondhand smoke and genetics can play a role. Also, exposure to chemicals like radon, uranium, nickel, arsenic and asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer in women. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence of what specifically causes lung cancer.

Who is at risk for lung cancer?

As reported by the CDC, the American Lung Association and U.S. News & World Report, women who smoke cigarettes have the highest risk of lung cancer. Smoking is responsible for 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women. Additionally, between 2005 and 2010, smoking-attributed lung cancer caused 56,359 deaths in women. It is not just smokers who are affected by their smoking. Non-smokers who are consistently exposed to smoking in their homes or places of business have a 20 to 30 percent increased chance of developing lung cancer.

Radon, a naturally occurring gas found in rocks and dirt, can increase the risk of lung cancer in women. The CDC states that radon can become trapped in homes, resulting in incidences of lung cancer. The CDC recommends having your home tested for radon to help lower your risk of developing lung cancer. Likewise, ensuring little-to-no exposure to asbestos, arsenic, nickel and uranium can help decrease your risk.

Exposure to radon is the second-highest cause of lung cancer after smoking. That is why you might consider getting your home tested for high radon levels. It is odorless, tasteless and invisible, making it virtually undetectable. Radon is a form of ionized radiation that occurs when uranium decays. It is not commercially produced, but it is a natural occurrence. Although radon can appear in drinking water, the most common form of exposure is inhalation and ingestion.

What are some tips for lung cancer prevention?

There is one tip that the CDC and the American Lung Association agree on more than anything else: quitting smoking will help prevent incidences of lung cancer in women. If you have never smoked, don’t start. Limited contact with second-hand smoke can prevent you from developing lung cancer. The mortality rates associated with lung cancer speak for themselves: Quitting smoking is the most highly recommended prevention tip for you and the women around you.