Answer:

Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.

Non-smokers can still develop lung cancer due to other risk factors: exposure to harmful gases, age, genetics, dust, environmental pollution, underlying lung diseases, and gene mutations. Secondhand smoke exposure also significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer in non-smokers occurs primarily in women and is mostly non-small cell lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is a likely contributor. Non-smokers with a spouse who smokes also have an increased risk.

Cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, about 70 of which cause various cancers, including throat, lung, and tracheal cancers. These toxins linger on walls, furniture, and clothing.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Si consults with a patient. Photo illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Nguyen Tien Si consults with a patient. Photo illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

People should avoid all forms of tobacco and nicotine, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and water pipes. Avoid smoking indoors, especially near children, women, and the elderly. Frequently ventilate homes and regularly wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics to eliminate smoke residue.

Early-stage lung cancer often has no symptoms or presents with symptoms easily mistaken for other illnesses, such as coughing and fatigue. Symptoms like persistent coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss typically appear in later stages. Early treatment is crucial to reduce the risk of complications and metastasis.

Smokers and those regularly exposed to secondhand smoke should have regular checkups and lung cancer screenings. If a family member has smoking-related lung cancer, other household members should also be screened regularly. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans use minimal X-rays, similar to a regular X-ray, but can detect early-stage lesions smaller than 1 cm that X-rays may miss.

Nguyen Tien Si, MD, MSc

Oncology Unit

Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7