What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors for
lung cancer include:
- Tobacco use. Smoking and chewing tobacco are related to
developing lung cancer, as well as to cancer of the mouth and throat. Over 85%
of lung cancers are related to smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. More than
half of the people who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer are former smokers.
The
risk of developing lung cancer increases:
- The longer you smoke.
- The more cigarettes you smoke each day.
- Marijuana use. Smoking one marijuana cigarette, or a joint, may
affect the lungs as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes.6
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic,
asbestos, radioactive dust, or
.
- Radiation exposure from occupational, medical, or environmental
sources.