Mesothelioma Treatment

Avoid these factors reduces the risk of lung cancer. However, most people who have a risk factor will not be affected by this cancer. In addition, sometimes the disease occurs even in the absence of all these risk factors.

Major risk factor

* Smoking cigarettes. By far, this is the most important risk factor. Smokers are 10-25 times more likely to have lung cancer than non-smokers. The risk depends on the age at which smoking began, number of years and the amount of cigarettes smoked per day. Although lung cancer takes several years to occur, physiological changes in lung tissue are visible long before.

On other types of cigarettes. Cigarettes “exotic” (kreteks, bidis, etc..), Often flavored, are not safer than cigarettes, according to the American Cancer Society. Some have no filter, others contain less tobacco, but more nicotine than regular cigarettes. Note that chewing tobacco is one of the main causes of oral cancer.

Light cigarettes: Safer? According to experts at the Mayo Clinic in the United States, believing that it reduces their risk of cancer by choosing cigarettes low in tar or nicotine is often error. The slight protective effect is counteracted by the fact that most people who smoke these cigarettes more deeply inhale the smoke without realizing it, to get the same amount of nicotine.

Other risk factors

* Smoking a pipe or cigar. Their smoke is also harmful to lungs than cigarettes. However, pipe smokers and cigar smokers generally less frequently than cigarette smokers, making them less risky.
* Being frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. Among non-smokers, there is the main risk factor for lung cancer. The proof has been established by studying the spouses of smokers. Studies show that their risk increases by 20% to 30%, compared to spouses of non-smokers.
* Being exposed to carcinogens in the context of a job. Carcinogens may cause genetic mutations that cause cancer. This is the case of exposed workers to asbestos (minors in an asbestos mine, construction workers), radon (in uranium mining), chromium (welders) or vapor ovens gas. Among these workers, the risk of lung cancer is even higher if they smoke cigarettes. Those in frequent contact with chemicals or minerals that could be inhaled (arsenic, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, gasoline, diesel exhausts, dust talcum, etc..) and who do not respect security measures have also increased risk.
* Being exposed to carcinogens at home. Exposure to high concentrations of radon in the home increases the risk of lung cancer, especially among smokers. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks, resulting from the degradation of uranium. It is colorless, odorless and invisible. The risk occurs in houses built on soil containing high concentrations of uranium. Radon seep through the basement through dirt floors, concrete walls (and even more if they are cracked), drains and sump pumps.

Leave a Reply