- Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in men, causing more than the next three leading causes – prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer – combined.1
- Risk factors for lung cancer include:
- Smoking
- Breathing in secondhand smoke
- Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals like radon and asbestos
- Family history
- Being exposed to outdoor air pollution
- Lung cancer is often asymptomatic, if symptoms do present themselves they often include, but not limited to:
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of Breath
- Coughing Up Blood
- Persistent Cough
- The best ways to reduce the risk of lung cancer include:
- Not smoking (or quitting smoking)
- Avoiding secondhand smoke
- Avoiding exposure to asbestos, radon, and chemicals common in some manufacturing jobs.2
- As with most cancers, early detection will improve your prognosis. Get screened especially if you’re over 50, have a history of smoking 20+ packs annually, or you currently smoke or have quit smoking in the last 15 years.
