Lung cancer causes


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kim-Son H. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.A., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA,

Overview
The main causes of any cancer include carcinogens (such as those in tobacco smoke), ionizing radiation, and viral infection. This exposure causes cumulative changes to the DNA in the tissue lining the bronchi of the lungs (the bronchial epithelium). As more tissue becomes damaged, eventually a cancer develops.Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.

Causes
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Risk is determined by
 * The more cigarettes you smoke per day,
 * The earlier you started smoking.

There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk. Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to breathing secondhand smoke.

Exposure to Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Alpha decay products from Radon causes the damage.

There is a good chance of lung cancer in aluminum workers, gasification and coking coal, the foundry industry, the production of isopropyl alcohol, the rubber industry, and the mining of hematite.

Longterm exposure to Asbestos can also lead to lung cancer as well as another form of cancer, Mesothelioma.

Also, chances of lung cancer is increased by the presence of certain risk factors.