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A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances of getting a disease. The risk factors for lung cancer are well-defined and include:

• Smoking - This is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes accounts for about 80% of all lung cancer cases. If a person stops smoking at any age, the risk of lung cancer is significantly reduced. There is no scientific evidence that people who smoke "low-tar" cigarettes have a reduced risk for developing lung cancer.

• Secondhand smoke - The risk of lung cancer is higher for people who are exposed to secondhand smoke even though they themselves may not be smokers.

• Asbestos - Occupational or environmental exposure to asbestos is also recognized as a major risk factor for lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos causes a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma. The risk for developing mesothelioma is higher for smokers who have been exposed to asbestos.

• Radon - Exposure to radon, an odorless radioactive gas that is a breakdown product of uranium, increases a person's risk for developing lung cancer.

• Chemicals - Occupational or environmental exposure to certain chemicals increases the risk for developing lung cancer. Some of these chemicals include:

  • arsenic
  • nickel chromates
  • vinyl chloride
  • gasoline
  • diesel fuel exhaust

• Air pollution - Environmental exposure to air pollutants, such as the combustion by-products of diesel and fossil fuels, may increase the risk for developing lung cancer.

• Lung diseases - Scarring of lung tissue that can occur with some lung diseases such as tuberculosis or pneumonia may increase the risk for developing lung cancer.

• Genetic factors - Some genetic factors may play a role in the development of lung cancer.

• Gender - Women who are exposed to tobacco smoke may be at higher risk than men for developing lung cancer