Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Cancer of the lung

Cigarette smoking is by far the most important cause of lung cancer. Giving up smoking leads to a gradual reduction in the risk of developing lung cancer with each year that passes after stopping.

Other factors involved in the development of this illness include environmental irritants such as fumes from petroleum products (diesel and asphalt for example) or asbestos, radioactivity and high concentrations of radon gas in certain parts of the country.

For many years lung cancer has been more common in men than women, but the number of cases in women has risen and is now coming close to that in men. This reflects the rise in the number of women smoking cigarettes.

Passive smoking is another known cause. The rate of lung cancer in non-smokers rises significantly if they are regularly exposed to other people’s cigarette smoke, as, for instance, by living with a smoker, by occupying smoking railway compartments on daily journeys or by working in an office where others smoke.

Studies have shown an increase of up to 24% in the risk of lung cancer among non-smokers living with smokers, compared with non-smokers living with non-smokers.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

  ---