News from Illinois CancerCare

Lung Cancer Awareness

Risk Factors

While doctors cannot always explain why one person develops lung cancer and another does not, there are certain risk factors that research has shown increase a person’s chance of developing lung cancer.

  • Tobacco smoke
  • Radon
  • Asbestos and other carcinogens
  • Air pollution
  • Family or personal history of lung cancer
  • Radiation therapy
  • Age 65 and older
  • History of lung disease
  • Diet

80% OF LUNG CANCER PATIENTS DIAGNOSED AT ADVANCED STAGE. LUNG CANCER IS GENERALLY ASYMPTOMATIC DURING EARLY STAGES

 

You can help lower your risk of lung cancer in the following ways

Don’t smoke. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking, or to quit if you currently smoke.
Avoid secondhand smoke. Smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is called secondhand smoke. Make your home and car smoke-free.
Get your home tested for radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all homes be tested for radon.
Be careful at work. Health and sagety guidelines in the workplace can help workers avoid carcinogens — things that can cause cancer.

Screenings

Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage, when it is easier to treat.

A low dose CT scan is recommended to screen for lung cancer. Annual screening is recommended for high risk people who:

• Have a history of heavy smoking, and
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and
• Are between 50 and 80 years old

Illinois CancerCare currently has over 25 clinical trials open and available for our lung cancer patients.

www.illinoiscancercare.com/clinical-trials