How to Prevent Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among both men and women. It occurs when abnormal cells in the lung grow out of control and form a mass (tumor). Although treatments are available, lung cancer is a dangerous form of cancer, especially if it is not caught early. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.

Smoking tobacco or nicotine products is the cause of most cases of lung cancer. This type of cancer can also result from exposure to certain substances, such as radon or asbestos. By making some lifestyle changes and taking some precautions, you can reduce your risk of getting lung cancer.

What can I do to lower my risk?

• Do not smoke any tobacco or nicotine products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Avoid secondhand smoke in the home, car, and workplace.
• Get your home tested for radon. Radon is an odorless gas that can seep into your home through cracks in the foundation, walls, or floor. If you have an unsafe level of radon in your home, hire a professional to lower the radon level.
• Have your home’s drinking water tested for arsenic.
• If you must be in workplaces where you might be near harmful substances, such as asbestos, use proper safety precautions to protect your lungs.
• If you smoke, do not take beta-carotene supplements. Your risk of lung cancer may increase further if you take these supplements in combination with smoking.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Why are these changes important?

• These changes and precautions address the factors that are known to increase the risk of lung cancer. Taking these steps is the best way to reduce your risk.
• In addition to making you less likely to get lung cancer, these changes will also provide other health benefits, as described here:

• Avoiding tobacco and nicotine can reduce your risk for other types of cancer and other health problems.
  • Avoiding exposure to poisonous (toxic) chemicals—such as radon, arsenic, and asbestos—can help limit damage to tissues of the lungs and other parts of the body.
  • Eating a healthy diet is good for your overall health.

What can happen if changes are not made?

If you do not take steps to reduce your risk, you may be more likely to develop lung cancer. Tobacco smoke and other harmful substances can take years to damage the cells in your lungs and cause cancer. You may be getting sick without knowing it.

Where to find support

• If you need more help to quit smoking or using tobacco, visit these websites:
  • SmokeFree.gov: https://smokefree.gov/  
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/quit-now/  
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/  
• To get the level of radon in your home tested, you may buy an at-home test kit at a hardware store or home improvement store, or you can hire a professional service. If you have an unsafe level of radon in your home, hire a professional to lower the radon level.
• Some risk factors for lung cancer are passed down through families. Talk with your health care provider or genetic counselor to learn more about genetic testing for cancer.

Where to find more information

Learn more about lung cancer from:

• The National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/types/lung  
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/  
• NIH Senior Health: https://nihseniorhealth.gov/lungcancer/  
• The American Lung Association: www.cancer.org/cancer/lungcancer/  

Summary

• Lung cancer is one of the most common and dangerous forms of cancer.
• Smoking tobacco products is the cause of most cases of lung cancer.
• Lifestyle changes can be made to reduce the risk of getting lung cancer. These include quitting smoking, testing for and removing radon in the home, and protecting the lungs at work.