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What are the Risk Factors & Causes?

What are the Risk Factors & Causes?

December 13, 2021
Sanjay Juneja, MD
Sanjay Juneja, MD

Medical Oncology

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Transcript

By far, the strongest factor is tobacco smoking. They’re at the highest risk for lung cancer and in fact, 80% of cases occur in tobacco smokers.

 

Those that breathe in secondhand smoke are also considered at risk. It’s thought that marijuana smoke could lead to lung cancer, but the association isn’t quite nearly as clear.

 

Other risk factors include exposure to asbestos, as well as other carcinogens, such as arsenic, diesel exhaust, cadmium and coal products. Air pollution itself is responsible for many cases of lung cancers, which we see in third world countries that have a lot of industrial smoke and not the same emission standards.

 

Key Takeaways

1. By far, the strongest risk factor for lung cancer is tobacco smoking.

2. People who breathe in secondhand smoke are also considered at risk.

3. Marijuana smoke could lead to lung cancer, but the association isn’t as clear.

4. Other risk factors include exposure to asbestos, as well as other carcinogens, such as arsenic, diesel exhaust, cadmium and coal products. Air pollution itself is responsible for many cases of lung cancers.