Who are the most likely people to get lung cancer?!


Question:

Who are the most likely people to get lung cancer?

like age groups, smokers, drug users? etc


Answers:

Current research indicates that the factor with the greatest impact on risk of lung cancer is long-term exposure to inhaled carcinogens, especially tobacco smoke. While some people who have never smoked do still get lung cancer, this appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors and exposure to secondhand smoke. Radon gas and air pollution may also contribute to the development of lung cancer.(Wikipedia)
Lung cancer is more common in older adults. It is rare in people under age 45.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk.
However, lung cancer has occurred in people who have never smoked.
Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3,000 non-smoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to breathing secondhand smoke.
The following may also increase one's risk of lung cancer:
* High levels of air pollution
* High levels of arsenic in drinking water
* Radon gas
* Asbestos
* Family history of lung cancer
* Radiation therapy to the lungs
* Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust (MedlinePlus)
An estimated 171,900 new cases of lung carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the US, and the disease causes 157,200 deaths annually. The incidence is rising in women and appears to be leveling off in men. Black men are at especially high risk.
Cigarette smoking, including passive (secondhand) smoking, is the most important cause. Risk differs by age and smoking intensity and duration; risk after smoking cessation declines but probably never returns to baseline. Exposure to radon, a breakdown product of naturally occurring radium and uranium, is the most important environmental risk factor in nonsmokers. Occupational exposure to radon (in uranium miners); asbestos (in construction and demolition workers, pipefitters, shipbuilders, and automotive mechanics); silica (in miners and sandblasters); arsenic (in workers in copper smelting, pesticide manufacturing, and wood-treatment plants); chromates (in stainless steel and pigment manufacturing plants); nickel (in battery and stainless steel manufacturing plants); chloromethyl ethers; beryllium; and coke oven emissions (in steel workers) accounts for a small number of cases per year (see Environmental Pulmonary Diseases). The risk of cancer is greater with combined exposure to occupational toxins and cigarette smoking than with either one alone. COPD and pulmonary fibrosis may increase susceptibility; β-carotene supplementation may increase susceptibility in smokers. Air pollution and cigar smoke contain carcinogens but have never been shown to cause lung carcinoma.(Merck)
Please see the web pages for more details on Lung cancer.




The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories