Some time ago, I met a 36-year-old female patient with lung cancer. The patient’s husband asked me, “Dr. Yan, my wife doesn’t smoke, but only takes care of the children to cook at home. Why did she get lung cancer?”
Actually, the cause of lung cancer is not only related to smoking. There are 6 major factors that can induce lung cancer. Today we will discuss this issue.
Lung cancer is the number one tumor in both morbidity and mortality in my country. The detection of early lung cancer is mostly through physical examination, and when lung cancer has symptoms, most of them are already in the advanced stage. According to the latest statistics, the average 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only about 16%.
According to relevant research, there are 6 main factors related to the incidence of lung cancer:
1. Smoking: Numerous studies have confirmed that smoking and non-smoking people are 20-25 times more likely to develop lung cancer. And there is a positive correlation with the amount of smoking and the length of smoking time. Studies have found that the smoke produced by tobacco combustion contains thousands of compounds, among which compounds that have been proven to be carcinogenic include: 3,4 benzopyrene, tar and nicotine. In addition, the elements carbon-14, nickel and arsenic in the smoke also have carcinogenic effects. Generally, smoking is closely related to squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung. Most of these two cancers grow in the center of the lung, that is, central lung cancer. It is recommended that you quit smoking as soon as possible.
2. History of long-term inhalation of second-hand smoke or environmental oil fume inhalation: Long-term inhalation of second-hand smoke and failure to turn on the range hood when cooking will lead to long-term inhalation of kitchen oil fume and increase the risk of lung cancer staging. Like the 36-year-old female patient with lung cancer that I met in the outpatient clinic just now may have something to do with this reason. Studies have found that the cooking fumes produced by cooking are not discharged in time, and entering the human body can cause DNA damage or cancer. Passive smoking and kitchen fumes are important causes of lung cancer among women in my country. It is recommended to turn on the range hood when cooking, and continue to turn on the range hood for 5-10 minutes after cooking to exhaust the remaining smoke.
3. History of occupational exposure to carcinogens: Long-term exposure to elements such as chromium, radon, beryllium, cadmium, arsenic and their compounds in the workplace increases the risk of lung cancer. In addition, asbestos, silica, and soot exposure are substances that increase the risk of lung cancer.
4. History of cancer: If you have suffered from other malignant tumors in the past, it means that you may have genetic defects and increase the risk of lung cancer.
5. Immediate relatives with lung cancer: First-degree relatives, such as father and mother, have lung cancer, so the risk of children suffering from lung cancer is increased. Because studies have found that people with a family history of lung cancer may have genetic susceptibility loci for lung cancer.
6. History of chronic lung inflammation: At present, many studies have confirmed that long-term chronic inflammation of organs and repeated organ inflammation repair can induce cancer. People with diseases such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than people without these diseases.
Summary: There are six main factors related to the incidence of lung cancer: smoking, long-term inhalation of second-hand smoke or environmental oil fume inhalation history, occupational exposure history, history of cancer, immediate family members with lung cancer, History of chronic inflammation in the lungs.