4 Causes of Lung Cancer and none of these is Smoking

Whenever we hear about someone having lung cancer we immediately conclude that smoking is the reason. Well, it can be the cause but not always. Cancer is increasing day by day but it’s not compulsory that smoking is the reason; there are different causes that can lead us to cancer and to control that we need to understand it better.

 

A different kind of lung cancer

As lesser individuals are smoking, other culprits that lead to lung cancer are starting to become more common. In fact, up to 20 % of individuals who die due to lung cancer are non-smokers. What's more, analysts have discovered that lung cancer in non-smokers is a different disease altogether.

For example, non-smokers with lung cancer seem less likely to have chronic obstructive and heart disease than their smoking counterparts. There's also some suggestion that cancers in non-smokers may have more treatment options, meaning they may live longer. Another big difference is that women seem more likely to get lung cancer if they've never smoked, compared to men.

 

What causes cancer in non-smokers?

We won’t deny the fact that Smoking is still the leading cause of lung cancer, but there are other risk factors too that are leading to lung cancer in people who don't smoke:

•    Family history

•    Second-hand smoke

•    Previous cancer diagnosis

•    Air pollution or other environmental dangers

 

Prevention to lower the risk of lung cancer

Lung cancer in non-smokers that it's generally found in later stages, which additionally implies that it's frequently harder to treat. Likewise, with all medical problems, an ounce of avoidance merits a pound of cure, so try these tips to cut your chances of getting lung cancer:

 

Maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle - Make sure you eat and drink properly as per your body needs (Connect with our Diet expert Miss Belly and get your personalized diet plan) This will keep you away from the unhealthy things that can lead to cancer.

 

Avoid second-hand smoke - If a loved one is a smoker, encourage them to quit. Not only will it benefit your and their health, but it'll help you dodge lung cancer, too.

 

Stay away from carcinogens - You may be exposed to asbestos and other harsh pollutants as part of your daily lifestyle. Make sure you wear appropriate gear, like face masks, to limit inhalation.

 

See if screening is right for you - If you're really worried about your lungs, you may want to look into getting screened for lung cancer. But most insurance companies cover these tests only for people with a history of smoking. Ask your doctor if it makes sense for you.

 

Don’t hide anything from your doctor - If anyone in your family has/ had lung cancer, speak up, so your doctor can be extra vigilant in spotting early signs of lung cancer in you.

 

And be sure to discuss any odd and not-so-odd symptoms. A persistent cough that doesn't go away is not something that should be ignored. A lot of the symptoms that can indicate an underlying problem like lung cancer are actually very common symptoms that all of us get at some point in our lifetimes. Having a cough, having a little pain in the chest and feeling a little bit short of breath are common problems, but those are also the symptoms of lung cancer.

While any form of cancer is scary, you don't need to panic. It's important to remember that even though the rate of non-smokers getting lung cancer is going up, most healthy non-smokers don't get lung cancer.