Lung cancer causes more deaths in America than any other cancer. Every day, about 433 Americans die of lung cancer. That’s enough people to fill a 747 jet.
And yet lung cancer is one of the more preventable cancers. This is why awareness of the risk factors is so important.
What causes lung cancer? Smoking.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. This is not a controversial claim; it’s a statement of fact.
If you smoke, you should try to stop. If you’ve tried before, you should try again. Talk with your doctor and don’t give up easily. This is one of the most important things you can do for your health and longevity.
MANA offers lung cancer screening for smokers and former smokers. It can find cancer early when it is treatable. Ask your doctor if you qualify for this free screening program.
Second-hand smoke can also cause lung cancer. It is estimated that 3,000 people die from lung cancer every year who never smoked. If you smoke, don’t smoke near children or other people.
Other causes of lung cancer
Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer. Radon is a natural gas that can build up indoors. A building with a high concentration of radon can cause lung cancer in people who spend a lot of time in that building over a period of years.
Radon is more likely to cause lung cancer in smokers than in non-smokers, but it is dangerous for nonsmokers, too. It is responsible for some 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. About 2,900 of these deaths occur in people who have never smoked.
You can’t see, smell, or taste radon. It is possible to test for radon, however. If you are concerned that there is radon in your home or workplace, consider testing the air.
