Common Causes Of Lung Cancer

While there is evidence that genetic predisposition can contribute to the development of various cancers, there are several other known factors that can contribute specifically to lung cancer. These factors are largely environmental but can aggravate existing conditions that would contribute to lung cancer’s development. The following are a few of the known things that can cause the need for lung cancer therapy, if not causing its development outright.

• Smoking: Smoking not only weakens the respiratory system and damages the overall health of the smoker. The habit is directly linked to the development of tumors and cancer within the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, including the mouth. Quitting can help reduce your risk, but it’s still best to not start smoking to begin with. Direct smoking isn’t the only smoking-related cause of cancer; secondhand smoke can also cause complications.
• Air pollution: Similar to smoking, air pollution can cause contaminants to irritate the lungs and damage the respiratory system. Additionally, air pollution can potentially contain carcinogens that are directly related to the development of certain cancers, including lung cancer.
• Asbestos: Asbestos, once used in many architectural and construction projects, has been linked to the development of several types of cancers including lung cancer. In some cases, work has been done to remove the carcinogen from buildings, though many must be carefully demolished in order to fully remove the threat. Asbestos is no longer used in building, but older buildings still may have traces, meaning some may be exposed to this and develop lung cancer as a result.

To prevent the development of cancer and the need for lung cancer treatment, avoid these items while also practicing important preventive care. This includes regular screenings for lung cancer as well as other forms of cancer, particularly if you are part of a high-risk population. Early detection, by low-dose CT screening, can decrease lung cancer mortality by 14 to 20 percent among high-risk populations.

If you’re in need of a cancer treatment center in Tennessee for lung cancer therapy or cancer screenings, contact Tennessee Cancer Specialists. Tennessee Cancer Specialists can provide therapy for a wide variety of cancers, as well as offering clinical trials to eligible patients.