Did You Know? 50 percent of non smokers are at risk of lung cancer

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: November 24, 2022 05:54 PM2022-11-24T17:54:02+5:302022-11-24T17:54:02+5:30

googleNewsNext

Not all people who get lung cancer smoke. As many as 20% of people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year have never smoked or used any other form of tobacco. But, lung cancer in people who have never smoked is one of the most fatal cancers in the United States.

While it’s true that staying away from tobacco is the most important thing any of us can do to help lower our risk of getting lung cancer, there are also other risk factors. Some of the risk factors for lung cancer can cause changes or mutations in the lung cells.These changes can lead to abnormal cell growth and sometimes cancer. Some people who get lung cancer have no known risk factors.

Each year, about 7,000 adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke. Laws that ban smoking in public places have helped to reduce this danger.

Some people are exposed to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) such as arsenic, uranium, asbestos and diesel exhaust at their workplace

Work-related exposure to such cancer-causing materials has decreased as the government and industry have taken steps to help protect workers.

In cities, air pollution (especially near heavily trafficked roads) appears to raise the risk of lung cancer slightly.

Certain changes in lung cells can lead to abnormal cell growth, and sometimes, cancer.

People who don't smoke avoid the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. But they can make some other lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk even more.