Lower Your Risk for Lung Cancer
Did you know lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the United States? Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and linked to 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. People who smoke cigarettes are 15x to 30x more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. Even smoking a few times a day or occasionally increases your risk for lung cancer. Quitting smoking at any age can lower the risk of lung cancer.
Some ways you can lower your risk for lung cancer:
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid secondhand smoke
- Get your home tested for radon as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency
- Be careful at work and follow health guidelines to avoid any carcinogens (things that can cause cancer)
Different people have different symptoms for lung cancer. Most people with lung cancer don’t have symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Some symptoms of lung cancer are:
- Coughing that gets worse or does not go away
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Weight loss with no known cause
Sometimes other symptoms may be repeated bouts of pneumonia and swollen lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest between your lungs. If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your Primary Care Provider* (PCP) about getting screened for lung cancer.
Learn more at SFHP’s Health Education Library about smoking and vaping.
*Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is the doctor, physician assistant, or nurse who is in charge of your health care.
