Lung Cancer Risks
Lung cancer risk factors vary greatly, from controllable risks like quitting smoking to family history. Here are some of the most common risk factors associated with lung cancer:
Smoking
Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke daily and the number of years you’ve been a smoker. Quitting at any age can lower your risk of developing this deadly cancer significantly. There is a reason that cigarettes are called “coffin nails.”
Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. If you are a smoker, save your loved ones by not smoking indoors and/or around them. If you love a smoker, help him or her lower their risks (and yours) by encouraging quitting.
Exposure to Radon Gas
Radon, an odorless, colorless gas, is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually makes its way into the air we breathe. Radon testing kits, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores, can help determine whether or not the levels of radon in our homes, office buildings and schools are safe.