Smoking, radon and other lung cancer risks

Every two and a half minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with lung cancer. In Iowa, new lung cancer cases are significantly higher than the national rate, according to the American Lung Association. While smoking cigarettes is the major cause of lung cancer, other risk factors like family history, environmental contributors and occupational hazards can also increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers alike. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about lung cancer:

What is lung cancer?

One of the most common cancers in the world and one of the highest causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States, lung cancer is the result of abnormal cancerous cells spreading in the lungs and lymph nodes.

Radon and lung cancer

Smoking cigarettes is by far the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

But smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. The second leading cause of lung cancer is radon exposure. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas. It forms from decaying radioactive elements found in different types of soils and rock.

The Iowa Radon Survey by Iowa Department of Public Health finds Iowa has the largest percentage of homes above the US EPA’s action level. In fact, 7 in 10 homes in Iowa have a hazardous level of radon levels.

“Radon levels increase the risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers and smokers alike,” said Neil Horning, MD, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine at MercyOne Des Moines Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Care. “We have patients, with no other risk factors, develop lung cancer from the high radon levels in their house’s basement or at their jobs.”

Another common radon exposure is with people who come in contact with phosphate fertilizers, which may have high levels of radium that breaks down into radon. Occupations like farming may have a higher risk of radon exposure from the amount of time spent around high radon levels in fields and in their homes.

"Everyone in Iowa knows smoking cigarettes causes cancer, but many people are not aware that radon exists, let alone in high levels in their homes. They may be inhaling it unknowingly and that causes cancer," Dr. Horning said.

Occupational hazards and lung cancer

Some careers may have an increased risk of lung cancer due to the high levels of chemicals, pollution etc. These positions include:

• Mechanics and car hobbyists
• Military positions, especially those previously in the Navy
• Painters and construction workers

Preventive screening

As with all cancers, early detection is key. Find out your risk for lung cancer by taking our health risk assessment today and if you qualify for lung cancer screening.