It's Preventable|It's Preventable
Don't Start. Do Quit.|Don't Start. Do Quit.
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke dramatically increases your risk for developing lung cancer. The Mayo Clinic advises that prevention starts with not starting to smoke—be it cigarettes, pipes, cigars or vaping. If you're already a smoker, the next step is quitting. They also recommend finding ways to avoid secondhand smoke, such as asking a partner to stop smoking or not smoke around you or in your home.
And, don't forget to test for radon. Radon, which can't be detected without testing, is a known carcinogen and lurks in homes, particularly basements. If you are or were a smoker, your lung cancer risk greatly increases if you are exposed to radon. Testing is uncomplicated and relatively inexpensive.
|
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke dramatically increases your risk for developing lung cancer. The Mayo Clinic advises that prevention starts with not starting to smoke—be it cigarettes, pipes, cigars or vaping. If you're already a smoker, the next step is quitting. They also recommend finding ways to avoid secondhand smoke, such as asking a partner to stop smoking or not smoke around you or in your home.
And, don't forget to test for radon. Radon, which can't be detected without testing, is a known carcinogen and lurks in homes, particularly basements. If you are or were a smoker, your lung cancer risk greatly increases if you are exposed to radon. Testing is uncomplicated and relatively inexpensive.
Exercise|Exercise
Regular exercise may reduce one's risk for many health issues, including developing lung cancer. If you don't regularly move your body, find a way to start. Get in some form of exercise most days of the week. Start slow and easy, and set goals to do more.
Studies have shown that, with regard to lung cancer, exercise matters—especially if you're a smoker.
|
Regular exercise may reduce one's risk for many health issues, including developing lung cancer. If you don't regularly move your body, find a way to start. Get in some form of exercise most days of the week. Start slow and easy, and set goals to do more.
Studies have shown that, with regard to lung cancer, exercise matters—especially if you're a smoker.
Diet Matters|Diet Matters
What you eat (or don't eat) also influences your risk for getting lung cancer. High sugar, processed foods are OK once in awhile. But if they make up the bulk of your diet, it's time to incorporate some changes if you're serious about lowering your risk for lung cancer.
Adding more fruits and vegetables has also been shown to lower risks. Think fresh foods and try to eat every color of the rainbow, every day.
The Mayo Clinic also advises against trying to get your vitamins from health supplements, which may actually do more harm than good, and increase your risk for lung and other types of diseases.
|
What you eat (or don't eat) also influences your risk for getting lung cancer. High sugar, processed foods are OK once in awhile. But if they make up the bulk of your diet, it's time to incorporate some changes if you're serious about lowering your risk for lung cancer.
Adding more fruits and vegetables has also been shown to lower risks. Think fresh foods and try to eat every color of the rainbow, every day.
The Mayo Clinic also advises against trying to get your vitamins from health supplements, which may actually do more harm than good, and increase your risk for lung and other types of diseases.
Early Screening|Early Screening
For those at greater risk for lung cancer, early screening has been found to be safe and effective in catching any abnormalities early. However, only low-dose CT scans have been proven to be effective, according to City of Hope.
Chest X-rays, on the other hand, are not effective.
|
For those at greater risk for lung cancer, early screening has been found to be safe and effective in catching any abnormalities early. However, only low-dose CT scans have been proven to be effective, according to City of Hope.
Chest X-rays, on the other hand, are not effective.
Men Are at Higher Risk|Men Are at Higher Risk
Men have a slightly higher risk for developing lung cancer than women—including non-smokers. The lifetime risk for men is one in 13, while for women it's one in 16.
|
Men have a slightly higher risk for developing lung cancer than women—including non-smokers. The lifetime risk for men is one in 13, while for women it's one in 16.
Black Men at Higher Risk|Black Men at Higher Risk
African-American men are at an even higher risk for developing lung cancers than white men. They are about 20 percent more likely to get lung cancer than white men.
|
African-American men are at an even higher risk for developing lung cancers than white men. They are about 20 percent more likely to get lung cancer than white men.
