- Approximately 158,000 Americans die from lung and bronchus cancer every year¬ – as many as from breast, prostate, colon and rectum, and pancreatic cancers combined.
- Five-year survival is slowly improving but is still under 20 percent.
- Men are more likely than women to develop lung cancer, but the gap is closing because rates of smoking have fallen faster among men than women.
- Risk of developing lung cancer dramatically increases after age 50.
- Up to 90 percent of lung cancers are estimated to be caused by smoking. But did you know there are many other known environmental risk factors?
- Risk factors other than smoking include exposures to:
- arsenic,
- chromium-6,
- air pollution,
- asbestos,
- radiation, and
- exhaust from diesel, coal and almost anything that burns.
Prevention tips
- Don’t smoke – in case you needed one more reason.
- Stay active – regular physical activity has been shown to substantially reduce lung cancer risk.
- Asbestos can often contaminate older homes or buildings. Asbestos was used in flooring or insulating materials, and can become airborne when disturbed. Any asbestos removal should be handled by trained professionals.
- Filter you water. Many contaminants, including chromium-6, can be mitigated with relatively inexpensive filters. If arsenic is a major concern where you live, you may need more expensive purification systems.
- Keep your air clean. Choose clean-burning fireplaces and stoves or inserts, and make sure chimneys are sealed and ventilating properly. If you’re tackling home-improvement projects such as painting or installing flooring, try to choose low-VOC options and keep your home well ventilated.
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