Ten facts about lung cancer you should know
Facts about lung cancer prevention
1. The number one cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Someone who
smokes a pack of cigarettes a day has fully twenty-five times greater
chances of getting lung cancer as compared to a non-smoker. Therefore, the
simplest way to prevent lung cancer -- avoid smoking. If you are a smoker,
quit smoking.
2. Passive smoking -- inhaling second-hand smoke from smokers in the
vicinity -- is another leading cause of lung cancer. If there is a smoker
in the household, the other household members have a 24% greater risk of
developing the disease than the general population. Active and passive
smoking together account for about 85% of all lung cancer cases in the
United States. Prevention tip -- get the smoker to stop smoking. At least,
get him or her to stop smoking in the house.
3. The gas called radon causes about 12% of all lung cancer cases. Have
your house tested for radon levels. It is impossible to detect the gas
without testing -- radon is colorless and odorless.
4. Polluted air is another risk factor in developing this disease. Do all
you can to avoid exposure to heavily polluted air.
5. Research published in October 2005 in Lancet, a British medical
journal, suggests that eating cruciferous vegetables like cabbages and
broccoli can help prevent lung cancer. Consumption of this group of
vegetables at least once a week was found to have a protective effect
against cancer.
Facts about lung cancer and women
6. Women tend to have a higher susceptibility to developing lung cancer.
Every year, the numbers of women who die from lung cancer exceed those who
succumb to breast cancer.
7. Hormonal and metabolic differences between men and women are thought to
explain -- in part, at least -- the heightened susceptibility of women to
this disease.
8. Women smokers have a greater chance of developing lung cancer than men
smokers. Even women who have never smoked in their lives have a greater
chance of developing the disease than men who have never smoked.
Other facts about lung cancer
9. Lung cancer is the single biggest cause of cancer deaths -- it accounts
for 30% of cancer deaths in the United States.
10. The five year survival rate for this disease is as low as 15%. In
contrast, the five year survival rate for prostate cancer is 92% and that
for breast cancer is 87%.
Related articles:
Lung cancer facts - awareness can save a life
Lung cancer statistics that will shock you
Lung cancer information - Glossary
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