Posts Tagged ‘Overview of Lung Cancer’
Other risk factors
* Exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral used as insulation in homes and buildings, also increases the risk of lung cancer. In houses, this material is not dangerous as they are not broken or handled in the open air, which may be the case during the renovations.
* Wood stoves, if they are not waterproof, are sources of fine particles in the air of homes, particularly dust and ashes. Wood smoke contains over 7,000 toxic substances. NB In its natural form, talc may contain asbestos. However, Canadian law requires, since 1973, as consumer products containing talc (body powders, face and baby) are free of asbestos.
* Being frequently exposed to air pollution. The air pollution is responsible for 5% of all deaths from cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lungs. The particles from burning coal, oil, natural gas and the incineration of garbage are damage. The problem is especially crucial in countries poorer and densely populated, particularly in Asia, but relates to some degree, all major cities.
* Having a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Twenty studies (cohort or case-control) on eating habits show a slightly reduced risk among consumers of fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene (sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, spinach and other green vegetables dark, winter squash, etc..). In general, consumption of fruit and vegetables exert a protective effect in people exposed to smoke tobacco.
Epidemiological studies indicate that consumed in supplement form (at a dose of 20 mg or more per day), beta-carotene slightly increases the risk of lung cancer and mortality among smokers. It is not known if this negative effect persists when the beta-carotene is used in combination with other carotenoids in supplements.
Potential risk factors
* Smoking marijuana. For now, the data tend to show that marijuana does not increase the risk of lung cancer. Smoke marijuana, or cannabis, although exempting nicotine, contains several carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Researchers believe that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in cannabis smoke’s effect. Marijuana smoke is often inhaled deeply and held longer in the lungs. Some data suggest that marijuana may cause oral cancer.
* Smoking the hookah (pipe eastern water pipe, hookah). The data are currently insufficient to determine the impact of this practice on the risk of lung cancer. The amount of tobacco smoke hookah is much lower than that found in cigarettes.Smoking the hookah is a tradition in North Africa and the Middle East. The smoker draws through a long pipe, smoke flavored tobacco. Although filtered water, smoke contain certain amounts of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other harmful substances.
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.