What Can Cause Lung Cancer?

Smoking

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number one risk factor for lung cancer is smoking.

In fact, a 2023 paper estimates that 90% of lung cancer cases are linked to cigarette smoking, with the risk highest in males. Tobacco products produce over 7,000 chemicals, and the CDC states that at least 70 of these are known to cause cancer.

If you quit smoking, no matter your age, your risk of lung cancer decreases. That said, it won’t be as low as if you’d never smoked.

It’s also important to be aware of secondhand smoke from other people. Even though you’re not the person smoking, if you inhale the smoke, your risk of lung cancer can increase.

No amount of secondhand smoke is safe. Some experts believe that exposure to secondhand smoke increases lung cancer risk by up to 30%.

Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It’s a naturally occurring gas that you can’t see, taste, or smell.

If radon gets into a building and you breathe it in, it can build up in your body over time and cause lung cancer. This risk is higher if you also smoke.

Asbestos

If you work with asbestos, your risk of lung cancer increases. This risk is higher if you also smoke.

Workplaces that may have asbestos present include:

• mines
• mills
• textile plants
• shipyards
• any place containing insulation

High exposure to asbestos can increase your likelihood of developing a type of cancer in the lung lining called mesothelioma.

Other substances

Other carcinogens include:

• radioactive ores, like uranium
• inhaled chemicals, such as:
  • arsenic
  • beryllium
  • cadmium
  • silica
  • vinyl chloride
  • nickel compounds
  • chromium compounds
  • coal products
  • mustard gas
  • chloromethyl ethers
• diesel exhaust

If you work around these chemicals, be sure to limit your exposure as much as you can and wear protective gear to reduce your risk.

History of lung cancer

If you’ve had lung cancer in the past, you have a higher risk of developing it again.

Also, if one of your siblings or parents has had lung cancer, you may have an increased risk. But it’s not clear whether this risk is due to genetic factors or environmental factors.

In some families who have a strong history of lung cancer, certain genes are known to be involved, and you may have a higher risk of developing this cancer. That said, most cases of lung cancer aren’t related to genes passed down in families.

Gene changes involved in lung cancer tend to be acquired. They include changes to the TP53, EGFR, and KRAS genes.

Chest radiation therapy

If you’ve already had radiation therapy to your chest, you have a higher risk of lung cancer. This risk is increased if you smoke.

You may have had chest radiation therapy in the past as a treatment for breast cancer or Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Pollution

According to the American Cancer Society, around 1% to 2% of all lung cancer deaths in the United States result from outdoor air pollution.

In cities, diesel exhaust is a common pollutant that may slightly raise the risk of lung cancer.

Diet

It’s unclear if certain foods or supplements can affect your likelihood of developing lung cancer. But if you smoke and also take beta-carotene supplements, your risk of lung cancer increases. So, it’s advisable to avoid taking these vitamins if you smoke.

Drinking water that contains arsenic and radon can also increase your risk. This contamination usually occurs in private wells.

Cannabis

There isn’t conclusive evidence to say if smoking cannabis increases your risk of lung cancer, as not many studies have taken place. But since it contains tar and other carcinogenic substances, much like tobacco smoke, it’s not unreasonable to believe that smoking cannabis would also increase your risk.

It is known, however, that smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs, and this may cause you to get more lung infections.

E-cigarettes

There’s not yet enough evidence to say that e-cigarettes cause lung cancer. More studies will likely be done in the future.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, e-cigarettes do cause health risks, including lung damage. Additionally, they’ve not been shown to improve your chances of quitting smoking.

Takeaway

Certain substances — like tobacco, radon, and asbestos — are known to cause cancer. Trying to reduce your exposure to these may lower your risk of developing lung cancer.

Although you may not be able to eliminate your contact with these, perhaps because of your work or environment, taking precautionary measures to protect yourself can help.