Lung cancer--the moment you hear or read these two words, the picture of a man or woman smoking passes through your head. Why? Because we have been told and taught time and again that smoking an lead to lung cancer. Ad campaigns, cigarette packets, and tobacco packets always come with a cautionary warning related to smoking and lung cancer.
And quite rightly so. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, in both India and abroad.
Tobacco smoke, as revealed by WebMD.com, contains many chemical compounds--most of which can lead to the growth of carcinogens in our lungs. Nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the two primary carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco, so prolonged and regular smoking can, and does, lead to lung cancer.
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But did you know that there are a number of other ways you could be at risk of getting lung cancer? Take a look:
Passive smoking: If you live with or work with a regular smoker, chances are that you are getting an unhealthy dose of passive smoking done every time they light up around you. According to Cancer Research UK, passive smoking can increase a non-smoker's cancer risk by a quarter. Basically, you're inhaling the same tobacco smoke, so the residue can be as carcinogenic as when one smokes himself or herself. And this second-hand smoke doesn't just affect the lungs, but can also lead to cancers in the larynx and pharynx.
Asbestos poisoning: You might not know it, but asbestos is all around us, especially in India. How? Well, the roofing on most semi-permanent, urban houses are made of asbestos sheets. They're cheap and easy to weld into a building, and make for a good housing option for the poorer sections of India. But the silicate fibres in asbestos can do long-term damage to your lungs, and prolonged exposure can lead to both lung cancer and mesothelioma. Workers who handle asbestos are equally at risk of getting cancer from it.
Lung diseases: If you have a serious lung infection or disease, like tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, you are at risk. These lung diseases cause scarring and inflammation in the lungs, which can turn carinogenic. If you have a long history of chronic lung diseases, your chances of getting cancer are higher. The situation can definitely be worsened if you are a smoker as well.
Air pollution: Whether it's vehicular or industrial in source, air pollution can spell the ultimate danger for your lungs. The broad range of carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals that are a part and parcel of air pollution can lead to chronic, systemic inflammation of the lungs, leading to cancer. This factor poses a major threat to Indians these days. What's more, air pollution can also cause cancer in kidneys, bladders and the colon.
Genetics: According to Healthline, current lung cancer researches suggest that you can get the disease if someone in your immediate family has suffered from it. You could be at risk of getting lung cancer genetically, even if you're not a smoker yourself. While the exact reason behind this is eluding scientists right now, it is a factor that should be considered.
As you can see, lung cancer is caused by a number of factors, apart from smoking. So, don't just think you'll be at risk of developing this form of cancer if you're a smoker.
Instead, beware of all the factors around yourself, and go for regular check-ups for lung carcinomas and cancers.