According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, with smoking and radon exposure the leading causes of lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. However, lung cancer is very preventable by eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke and radon gas.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a serious yet mostly preventable form of cancer. There are two primary types; non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Each type of cancer progresses differently and requires different types of treatment. Symptoms of lung cancer may include a persistent cough that worsens over time, chest pain, shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing up blood, fever of unknown origin, and weight loss and loss of appetite. The cancer can metastasize rapidly and is often fatal.
Smoking
Since the first official federal warning was issued by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1964, information on the risks of cigarette smoking, particularly those associated with lung cancer, has been steadily increasing. However, almost 20 percent of all Americans continue to smoke tobacco products. This percentage does not account for those persons exposed to second-hand smoke. The EPA indicates that smoking is the leader among the causes of lung cancer, with approximately 160,000 people dying of the disease as a result of smoking every year.
Radon
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas with radioactive properties. It is commonly found in homes with underground basements, particularly in the northern Midwest, where radioactive elements in the ground, including uranium and thorium, degrade into radon. The gas leaks into interior spaces of homes and is then breathed, unknowingly, by the occupants. Granite counter tops in homes can also give off radon gas. When inhaled, the radiation from the gas can trigger the growth of cancer cells in the lungs.
Combined Effect
The EPA states that exposure to tobacco smoke, especially directly from smoking, but also from second-hand smoke, when coupled with exposure to radon gas, can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer, when compared to either smoking or radon exposure alone. In fact, most radon-related lung cancer cases occur in individuals who also smoke, demonstrating a synergistic effect between tobacco smoke and radon.
Prevention
Lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco smoke exposure is the single most effective way to reduce the risk. Regular monitoring of homes for radon gas exposure can also help. For individuals living with high radon concentrations, ventilation of radon gas from interior spaces, sealing cracks in foundations and basement walls, and replacing granite counter tops that may emit high levels of radon can also help reduce the risk of lung cancer.
