Lung Cancer

Understanding Your Risk for Lung Cancer

Do you wonder what might increase your chance of getting lung cancer? Some risks you can control, and others you cannot. Knowing your risk is the first step to protecting your health.

Main Risk Factors

• Smoking: Smoking is the top cause of lung cancer. The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the higher your risk. The good news is that quitting at any age can lower your risk.
• Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes can also increase your risk, even if you don’t smoke.
• Past Chest Radiation: If you’ve had radiation treatment to your chest before, your risk may be higher.
• Radon Gas: Radon is a natural gas that can build up in homes. Being around high levels for a long time can raise your risk.
• Harmful Substances: Exposure to certain chemicals at work or in the environment—like asbestos or arsenic—can increase your risk, especially if you also smoke.
• Family History: If a close family member has had lung cancer, your risk may be higher.

Symptoms to Watch For

Lung cancer may not cause symptoms at first. As it gets worse, you might notice: