Anyone can be diagnosed with lung cancer. It doesn’t discriminate. However, there are several risk factors that may increase the chances of getting lung cancer. Some of these factors are age, genetic predisposition, certain workplaces, and exposure to specific chemicals.
Environmental Risk Factors
Environmental risk factors include:
Asbestos
- Asbestos is a heat-resistant mineral that was used as insulation in older buildings
- If asbestos in buildings is disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are breathed in, they can get trapped in the lungs and stay there for a long time.
- Studies have shown that asbestos-exposed workers are at risk for lung cancer
- It usually takes more than 15 years for lung cancer to develop after exposure to asbestos
Radon
- Radon is a colourless and odourless radioactive gas.
- Radon can build up in poorly ventilated enclosed spaces and reach unsafe levels
- When breathed in, the radiation from radon gas damages the DNA of cells in the lungs
People who live and/or work in places with environmental risk factors or who are often exposed to these elements may be at a higher risk for lung cancer. Air pollution from motor vehicles, factories, and power plants contain microscopic particles, nitrogen oxides, diesel exhaust, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some people are exposed to arsenic, asbestos, chromium, nickel, silica or uranium at their workplace.
Smoking/second hand smoke
The majority of lung cancer cases—about 85%—are directly related to smoking tobacco, particularly cigarettes. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens, which are toxic, cancer-causing chemicals that promote cell damage over time. This is why the risk of lung cancer increases with the number of years and the number of cigarettes a person has smoked. Inhaling smoke also destroys the defence system that keeps harmful substances out of the lungs.
Quitting smoking can be extremely difficult. But, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to quit.
If you or your loved one has a history of smoking, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about different strategies that can help you try to quit.
Second-hand smoke has the same harmful chemicals that a smoker breathes in. Exposure to tobacco smoke from other people’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars is an important cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Screening for Lung Cancer
According to Lung Cancer Canada, “The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care now recommends screening for lung cancer with three consecutive annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans in high-risk individuals [i.e.,] adults aged 55-74 years who currently smoke or quit less than 15 years ago, with a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years. A pack year is defined as the average number of packs smoked daily multiplied by the number of years of smoking.”
Sometimes lung cancer is detected when you get a scan for something unrelated (e.g., after a car accident or heart attack). Your doctor may refer to these as “incidentally detected pulmonary nodules”. It is important to ask your doctor if a follow-up is needed.
Hospitals and clinics across the country do have teams and the expertise to conduct lung cancer screening, so speak to doctor to get a referral or call your provincial cancer association to help identify a centre with expertise.
Should You Get Checked for Lung Cancer?
If you feel that you are at a higher risk for developing lung cancer or if you have been told by a doctor to have a lung nodule followed up, it's a good idea to have routine check-ups with your doctor. At one of these check-ups, your doctor may screen you for lung cancer based on your level of risk. Talk to your doctor about any signs or symptoms you may be feeling so he or she can determine if screening is appropriate for you.
