Title: Lung Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors
Headings: Causes and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
Causes and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
Common Causes
Smoking
Age
Radon
Secondhand Smoke
Air Pollution
Chemical Exposure
Radiation
Lung Diseases
Medical Conditions
Infections
Correlation vs. Causation
Genetics
Cardiovascular
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Diet and Food Supplements
Alcohol
Lung Cancer Screening
A Word From Verywell

Content: 13
It's estimated that in the United States, occupational exposures are a contributing factor in between 13% and 29% of lung cancers in men; that number changes to roughly 5% for women. What Are the Risk Factors for Lung Cancer? Radiation
Radiation, primary X-radiation and gamma radiation in the form of radiotherapy, diagnostic radiation, and environmental background radiation, is a risk factor for lung cancer. 14
People who have radiation therapy to the chest for cancers such as Hodgkin's disease (a type of lymphoma) or following a mastectomy for breast cancer have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Radiation therapy after a lumpectomy for breast cancer does not appear to increase risk. The risk is higher when radiation is received at a younger age and can vary depending upon the dose of radiation received. Lung Diseases
Even though chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are both caused by smoking, COPD is an independent risk factor for lung cancer. 15 This means that if two people smoked the same amount, or if neither smoked, the person who had COPD would be much more likely to develop lung cancer. Overall, the chance that someone who has COPD will develop lung cancer is two times to four times higher than someone who does not have COPD, and the risk is even greater among heavy smokers.