There are some factors that can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
The risk factors for lung cancer are explained below. Having any of these risk factors doesn't mean that you will definitely get cancer.
Risks and causes
Smoking tobacco is the biggest cause of lung cancer in the UK. Around 7 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking. This includes breathing in other people’s cigarette smoke.
Even light or occasional smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. But your risk increases more the longer you smoke and the more you smoke. Stopping smoking is the best think you can do for your health. The sooner you stop, the better.
Some substances increase the risk of lung cancer. These include asbestos, silica, and diesel exhaust. People can be exposed to these through their work.
Asbestos was used in shipbuilding and the construction industry in the 1960’s. Even though the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, some construction workers in older buildings might still be exposed to it. There are strict laws about work that involves asbestos: for example, when working in or repairing structures containing asbestos. Smoking increases the risk from asbestos exposure.
Silica is a substance used in some construction and material industries such as glass making and bricklaying. People who have worked as bricklayers can have an increased risk of lung cancer. It can cause a condition known as silicosis, which increases the risk of lung cancer.
Diesel engine exhaust fume exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. So, people who are regularly exposed to exhaust fumes through their jobs have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. This includes professional drivers and mechanics.
We know that air pollution can cause lung cancer. The risk depends on the levels of air pollution you are regularly exposed to. At UK levels, the extra risk for each person is likely to be small. The exposure to outdoor air pollution causes around 1 out of 10 (10%) lung cancer cases in the UK.
Previous lung diseases can increase your risk of lung cancer. These risks are usually higher in smokers.
Tuberculosis (TB) can make scar tissue form in the lungs. People who have had TB have double the risk of lung cancer compared to other people in the population.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also called chronic obstructive airways disease. It means long term lung illnesses such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Your risk of lung cancer is higher if you have COPD or lung infection (pneumonia) compared to people who don’t have it.
Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from tiny amounts of uranium present in all rocks and soils. Radon gas can build up in homes and other buildings. The highest levels are in south west England but higher than average levels may be found in many other parts of the UK.
Exposure to radon causes a small number of lung cancers in the UK.The risk increases if you smoke. So, it’s even more important to stop smoking if you live in a high radon area.
Your risk of lung cancer is higher if you have a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) who has had lung cancer.
Researchers are looking at how our genes could affect our risk of lung cancer.
Radiotherapy for some types of cancer can slightly increase your risk of lung cancer. The cancer types include:
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- testicular cancer
- womb cancer
Your risk of getting lung cancer following radiotherapy treatment is still small. The benefit to you of treating the cancer outweighs the risk of developing lung cancer.
Women who had radiotherapy for breast cancer in the past might have a slight increase in risk. But modern radiotherapy methods for breast cancer don’t increase lung cancer risk.
Other possible causes
Stories about potential causes of cancer are often in the media and it isn’t always clear which ideas are supported by evidence. There might be things you have heard of that we haven’t included here. This is either because there is no evidence about them or the evidence is unclear.
Reducing your risk
There are ways to reduce your risk of cancer.