Thoracic Oncology Program

Patient and Family Education

Lung Cancer

Risk Factors

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Tobacco Use - Effects on Arteries

This short video shows the difference between a smoker's and non-smoker's artery.
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The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 215,020 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2008. More than 80 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

People who breathe the smoke of others (for example, the families of smokers) also have an increased risk of developing the disease. People who quit smoking before developing lung cancer can significantly decrease their risk.

Cigar, pipe, and marijuana smoking all increase a person's risk of lung cancer almost as much as cigarette smoking (see video).

Exposure to asbestos is a significant risk factor for a particular type of lung cancer called mesothelioma, which starts in the pleura (or lining) of the lung.

People who work or have worked with asbestos have an increased risk of developing the disease.

Other possible risk factors include exposure to radon gas, exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace, inflammation due to pneumonia, and a previous history of lung cancer. There is some evidence that women who smoke have a greater risk than men who smoke of developing the disease.

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2009.