How can I help prevent lung cancer?
-
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons answered:The best ways to prevent lung cancer is to never smoke tobacco and to avoid second hand smoke exposure. No medicine, herbal agent or vitamin has been found to reduce the risk for lung cancer in smokers or former smokers.The best ways to prevent lung cancer is to never smoke tobacco and to avoid second hand smoke exposure. No medicine, herbal agent or vitamin has been found to reduce the risk for lung cancer in smokers or former smokers. More -
Healthwise answered:Experts have identified several causes of lung cancer. Most lung cancers are caused by the use of tobacco. Changing your lifestyle can, over time, gradually reduce some of your risk for lung cancer.
Tobacco
Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer. More than 85% of lung cancers are caused by smoking.
To prevent lung and other cancers, do not use tobacco. If you do use tobacco, you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting. Your risk will gradually decrease with time as your lungs recover. Quitting smoking reduces your risk for cancer, and your risk continues to decrease as long as you do not smoke. The benefit of quitting smoking is greater the younger you quit.
Even cutting down how much you smoke may reduce your risk (but not as much as quitting completely). In one study, cutting in half the number of cigarettes smoked each day significantly reduced the risk of getting lung cancer during a 5- to 10-year period.
Nicotine gum, medicated nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches and oral medicines such as varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion are available to help you to quit smoking.
Other exposure risk factors
Other things that increase your risk of lung cancer include asbestos, secondhand smoke, and radon exposure. Certain occupations, such as mining and farming, expose people to fumes, radioactive dust or other chemicals that may be harmful. Taking precautions to reduce your exposure to harmful substances in your environment can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer.
Radiation therapy to the chest area can increase your risk.
Diet
Recent studies on the connection between diet and lung cancer have shown mixed results. Antioxidants, phytoestrogens (found in a wide variety of whole grains, legumes, vegetables and soy products), and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli) may reduce the risk of lung cancer. But there is not clear evidence that these foods help protect high risk people. Other research shows that taking supplements of beta-carotene, vitamin E and retinoids may actually be harmful and increase the risk of lung cancer in people who continue to smoke.
Experts have identified several causes of lung cancer. Most lung cancers are caused by the use of tobacco. Changing your lifestyle can, over time, gradually reduce some of your risk for lung cancer. Tobacco Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung... More -
The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke. Stopping smoking can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, even if smoking has occurred for years.
Secondhand smoke avoidance: Breathing the smoke of others may be just as damaging as smoking.
Radon testing: Testing may be performed to find out if radon is in the home. This should especially be done if living in an area where radon is known to be a problem.
Environmental carcinogens avoidance: Decrease exposure to toxic chemicals that may cause lung cancer, such as vinyl chloride, air pollution, cleaning products, nickel chromates, vehicle exhaust, and coal products.
Healthy diet: Some studies have documented the relationship between food and cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends eating five to six servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, may especially be important in cancer prevention.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke. Stopping smoking can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, even if smoking has occurred for years. Secondhand smoke avoidance: Breathing the smoke of others may be just as damaging as... More -
Dr. Raja M. Flores of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:If you are in a high-risk group for lung cancer, get a CT scan, says Raja Flores, MD, thoracic surgeon at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. In this video, he explains how avoiding cigarette smoke can also help prevent lung cancer.
If you are in a high-risk group for lung cancer, get a CT scan, says Raja Flores, MD, thoracic surgeon at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. In this video, he explains how avoiding cigarette smoke can also help prevent lung cancer. More -
Dr. Frank Leone of Penn Medicine answered:Avoiding certain risk factors can reduce your chance of developing lung cancer, but there is no known way to prevent all cases. The number one thing you can do to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid secondhand smoke.
Other steps that you can take to help reduce the risk for developing lung cancer include:- Testing and treating your home for radon.
- Protecting yourself from cancer-causing chemicals at work.
- Maintaining a good diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
Avoiding certain risk factors can reduce your chance of developing lung cancer, but there is no known way to prevent all cases. The number one thing you can do to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid... More
