Title: Lung Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version - National Cancer Institute
Headings: Lung Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version
Lung Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version
What is prevention?
General Information About Lung Cancer
Key Points
Lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form    in the tissues of the lung.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.
Lung Cancer Prevention
Key Points
Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may    help prevent lung cancer.
The following are risk factors for lung cancer:
Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking
Secondhand smoke
Family history
HIV infection
Environmental risk factors
Beta carotene supplements in heavy smokers
The following are protective factors for lung cancer:
Not smoking
Quitting smoking
Lower exposure to workplace risk factors
Lower exposure to radon
It is not clear if the following decrease the risk of lung cancer:
Diet
Physical activity
The following do not decrease the risk of lung cancer:
Beta carotene supplements in nonsmokers
Vitamin E supplements
Cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to prevent cancer.
New ways to prevent lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials.
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Content: People infected with HIV may have more than twice the risk of lung cancer than those who are not infected. Since smoking rates are higher in those infected with HIV than in those not infected, it is not clear whether the increased risk of lung cancer is from HIV infection or from being exposed to cigarette smoke. Environmental risk factors
Radiation exposure: Being exposed to radiation is a risk factor for lung cancer. Atomic bomb radiation, radiation therapy, imaging tests, and radon are sources of radiation exposure: Atomic bomb radiation: Being exposed to radiation after an atomic bomb explosion increases the risk of lung cancer. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to the chest may be used to treat certain cancers, including breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Radiation therapy uses x-rays, gamma rays, or other types of radiation that may increase the risk of lung cancer.