| More and more often, I come across cases of | | | | caused by air pollution in the Swedish capital city, |
| nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. My attention is | | | | Stockholm. |
| always drawn to news of this nature because my | | | | Past Cancer Treatment: Researchers in Sweden who |
| husband passed away at the age of 51 from brain | | | | looked at the medical records of 140,000 breast |
| and lung cancer. He never smoked a day in his life. | | | | cancer patients found that there was an increase of |
| The complacency non-smokers have shared over the | | | | lung cancer 5 to 20 years after breast cancer |
| years is no longer a viable option. Smokers and | | | | treatment. Suspicion is that radiotherapy in the chest |
| non-smokers alike are vulnerable to a disease which is | | | | area may have made the lungs more susceptible to |
| largely incurable. Among patients with lung cancer, | | | | the disease. |
| only about 14% live five years after their diagnosis. | | | | Estrogen Replacement Therapy: According to |
| In the face of a disease that seems to have neither | | | | researchers at the University of Pittsburg, estrogen |
| rhyme nor reason, what can we do to protect | | | | may fuel the growth of non small-cell lung cancer. |
| ourselves? First, assess your risk for lung cancer; | | | | What preventative measures can we take? |
| then take measures to prevent the disease. | | | | Diet: An apple a day may keep lung cancer away. A |
| What are the risk factors for lung cancer? | | | | Finnish study suggests that apples not only keep |
| Gender: Unfortunately, women seem to be more | | | | doctors away, but provide protection for the lungs |
| vulnerable to lung cancer. Research has shown that | | | | as well. This study found that people who ate the |
| female smokers are more susceptible to the | | | | most apples were 58 % less likely to develop lung |
| cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes. In | | | | cancer. Other studies suggest that lung cancer risk is |
| another study, a gene linked to abnormal lung cancer | | | | lower among smokers and non smokers who ate at |
| cell growth was found to be more active in women | | | | least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits daily. |
| than in men. It did not matter whether the women | | | | Beta Carotene: A high intake of beta carotene |
| smoked or not. | | | | compounds can lower your lung cancer risk; however, |
| A family history of lung cancer: Evidence suggests | | | | studies also show that the beta carotene is only |
| that there is a lung cancer gene which predisposes | | | | effective when the compounds are ingested from |
| offspring to develop lung cancer. However, the | | | | whole foods such as peaches, melon, carrots, |
| evidence is far from conclusive as the situation is | | | | mangoes, dark leafy vegetables, squash etc. The |
| made difficult by the fact that offspring of smokers | | | | opposite effect seems to take place with beta |
| have been exposed to a smoking environment since | | | | carotene supplements. A Finnish study reported 18% |
| childhood and would therefore have a greater risk for | | | | more lung cancer cases among heavy smokers who |
| developing the disease. | | | | took beta carotene supplements. And a National |
| Scarring from previous lung disease : Scarring in lungs | | | | Cancer Study on the effects of vitamin A and beta |
| caused by tuberculosis or other lung disease can be a | | | | carotene was halted because smokers taking the |
| risk factor for lung cancer. | | | | supplements had 28% more lung cancer than those |
| Second-hand smoke: Exposure to second-hand | | | | taking a placebo. |
| smoke has been shown to be a definite risk factor. | | | | Selenium and Vitamin C: Taking selenium supplements |
| Your risk increases by 30 percent from daily | | | | on a long- term basis has been shown to decrease |
| exposure to second-hand smoke. This is probably the | | | | the incidence of lung cancer. In one study, people |
| most significant risk factor for lung cancer in | | | | taking 55-200 mcg of the mineral daily had a 46% |
| non-smokers. | | | | lower rate of lung cancer. As well, studies indicate |
| Exposure to radon: Radon is an odorless gas than can | | | | that people who take less than 90 mg of vitamin C |
| seep out of the soil into buildings. Worse yet, the gas | | | | on a daily basis may have a 90% higher risk of lung |
| can seep from the soil into water near residential | | | | cancer than those who take 140mg or more. |
| communities. Radon has been implicated as a potential | | | | Avoid second-hand smoke and check your house for |
| cause of lung cancer. | | | | radon. |
| Air pollution: Long-term occupational exposure to | | | | There are never guarantees in life, but it makes |
| diesel exhaust fumes may increase lung cancer risk | | | | perfectly good sense to take some preventative |
| by 47%. Air pollution in general is a risk factor in the | | | | measures as these can not only improve your overall |
| general population. Swedish researchers estimate that | | | | quality of health and life but also prevent lung cancer. |
| as many as 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer may be | | | | |