by Renee S

Created on: February 15, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Lung cancer is by far the number one killer in both men and women. More people die from lung cancer than from prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer combined.

Lung cancer is thought to have been the result of long-term exposure to inhaled carcinogens, the most common of which is tobacco smoke. Over 80 percent of lung cancers diagnosed are smoking related, so smoking does definitely increase a person's chances of developing the disease. Even non-smokers who inhale the smoke of others, or what is known as passive smokers, stand a minimal chance of developing this disease as well.

But there are other causes of lung cancer besides smoking. Those that have been exposed to radon or asbestos are also at risk of lung cancer. Radon is the odourless gas produced by natural uranium, and it's been linked to lung cancer. People who live on soil containing uranium deposits may have high levels of radon indoors, hence increasing the likelihood of contracting the cancer. Those who work with asbestos are also at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

Air pollution has also been thought to account for one percent of lung cancers.

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