Although smoking is the top risk factor for lung cancer in the United States, it isn’t the only contributing factor. Even if you don’t smoke, it’s entirely possible that you could experience lung cancer.
Another risk factor for lung cancer is secondhand smoke. Breathing in the smoke from a person’s cigarette, cigar, or pipe can cause the same damage to your lungs as if you smoked yourself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, secondhand smoke exposes you to more than 7,000 chemicals. An estimated 70 of these chemicals are cancer-causing.
Secondhand smoke doesn’t just cause cancer in adults who breathe it in. The smoke can also be cancer-causing in infants and children.
Every year, more than 7,300 Americans die from lung cancer related to exposure to secondhand smoke. The longer a person is exposed to secondhand smoke, the greater the risk for experiencing lung cancer.
Other Potential Lung Cancer Causes
Exposure to chemicals and harmful poisons can also contribute to lung cancer. Sometimes people can get exposed to chemicals in the workplace. Breathing these in can cause cancerous changes to the lungs. Examples of harmful chemicals include:
- Diesel exhaust
Exposure to radon is another risk factor. People cannot smell, see, or taste the gas that can become trapped in buildings and houses. Radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke, according to the CDC. It’s possible to test for radon in your home if you are concerned radon levels may be too high.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancers
Unfortunately, these risk factors show that anyone is at risk for lung cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, it’s important to be aware of the potential symptoms of lung cancer. These include:
- A cough that doesn’t go away with time or worsens.
- Coughing up blood or phlegm that appears brown or rust-colored.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Experiencing frequent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Wheezing and/or hoarseness of your voice.
If you have these or other symptoms you are concerned could be lung cancer, seek medical treatment. The sooner treatments are initiated, the greater your chances of survival for this disease that can affect smokers and non-smokers.
For more information on lung cancer treatments in Denver, CO, please call (303) 209-7044.