Here's What You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want to Lower Your Risk of Lung Cancer

Emily Laurence
·4 min read
18

Model of the lungs

The warnings on cigarette packages make it clear: Smoking can kill you. Perhaps you’ve seen anti-smoking commercials featuring someone with lung cancer or maybe you have even known someone who has received the diagnosis personally. Unfortunately, this is the case for many people: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S.

Did you know that smoking cigarettes isn’t the only habit that can put someone at risk of getting it? In fact, pulmonologists say that many people are engaging in a habit that they believe is safe, but in reality, is seriously harmful. 

Related: These Signs and Symptoms Could Mean Lung Cancer—Here's When That Cough Should Send You to the Doc ASAP

Habits That Can Increase the Risk of Lung Cancer

Dr. Kalvin Lung, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, says that smoking tobacco products—including cigarettes, cigars and pipes—has the most proven association with elevated risk for lung cancer. Without a doubt, this is the one habit that can increase someone’s risk of lung cancer the most. “However, there are many different forms of smoking these days that are not necessarily tobacco products,” Dr. Lung says.

For example, some people vape flavorings, chemicals, or other substances or they smoke marijuana because they believe that these are healthier habits than cigarette smoking. PSA: They’re not. Dr. Lung says that while the scientific evidence on vaping or smoking marijuana is still evolving, it’s believed to have the potential to increase the risk of lung cancer. 

Dr. Amy Cummings, MD, a thoracic oncologist at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, agrees, saying, “While smoking cigarettes is a risk factor that will qualify you for lung cancer screening, we also expect that vaping and other types of smoke exposure carry similar risk.” 

Related: The #1 Lung Cancer Sign That's Missed Most Often, According to Oncologists 

For example, one scientific study published in the journal Lung Cancer found that e-cigarette and vaping devices contain chemicals that are definite carcinogens (including nicotine) as well as chemicals that probably cause cancer (like heavy metals). Another study that took into account 2,159 people with lung cancer found a positive correlation between smoking marijuana and lung cancer.

This is important to know because some e-cigarette and vaping products market themselves to be healthy. For example, they may claim to contain vitamins or ingredients to help manage anxiety. Oftentimes, the words “wellness” or “natural” will appear on the products. Do not be misled by these unproven claims. 

Related: Why Do People Who Never Smoke Get Lung Cancer?

Other Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Maybe you don’t vape or use e-cigarettes yourself, but someone you live with does. Simply being around them increases your risk of getting lung cancer through secondhand smoke.

According to both doctors, where you live also plays a role. Dr. Cummings says that being regularly exposed to air pollution also increases the risk. It’s important to know that air pollution isn’t just contained to cities. Dr. Lung says that smoke from wildfires is air pollution too and regularly being exposed to it is bad for your lungs.

If you have a job where you are surrounded by exhaust fumes or smoke, Dr. Lung says this also increases the risk for lung cancer. For example, professional drivers (like truck drivers or taxi drivers) and construction workers are both at an increased risk.

The bottom line is this: If you want to lower your risk for lung cancer, the best thing you can do is minimize your exposure to smoke. If you have been or are currently exposed to smoke (whether through smoking cigarettes, vaping, because of your environment or due to your job), Dr. Cummings says to talk to your doctor. “By asking about your lung health, your doctor can make sure they review your relevant medical history, order any necessary testing and make personalized recommendations. If you know you have a risk factor listed above, be sure to tell them,” she says.

Next up, here's what an oncologist wants people living with lung cancer to know.

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