Health Information
Lung Cancer
Cause
More than 8 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking.Reference 3 Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens—substances that cause cancer. These substances damage lung cells, and over time the damaged cells can turn into lung cancer.
The more you smoke and the longer you have smoked, the higher your chances of getting lung cancer. You lower your chances when you quit or cut down on how much you smoke.
A few people get lung cancer after being exposed to other harmful substances, including Reference asbestos, radioactive dust, Reference radon, or radiation such as X-rays.
Cancer also may be caused by gene changes (mutations) that occur as you get older.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 22, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology |
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