| More and more often, I come across cases of | | | | cancer may be caused by air pollution in the |
| nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. My | | | | Swedish capital city, Stockholm. |
| attention is always drawn to news of this nature | | | | Past Cancer Treatment: Researchers in Sweden |
| because my husband passed away at the age of | | | | who looked at the medical records of 140,000 |
| 51 from brain and lung cancer. He never smoked | | | | breast cancer patients found that there was an |
| a day in his life. | | | | increase of lung cancer 5 to 20 years after |
| The complacency non-smokers have shared over | | | | breast cancer treatment. Suspicion is that |
| the years is no longer a viable option. Smokers | | | | radiotherapy in the chest area may have made |
| and non-smokers alike are vulnerable to a disease | | | | the lungs more susceptible to the disease. |
| which is largely incurable. Among patients with lung | | | | Estrogen Replacement Therapy: According to |
| cancer, only about 14% live five years after their | | | | researchers at the University of Pittsburg, |
| diagnosis. | | | | estrogen may fuel the growth of non small-cell |
| In the face of a disease that seems to have | | | | lung cancer. |
| neither rhyme nor reason, what can we do to | | | | What preventative measures can we take? |
| protect ourselves? First, assess your risk for lung | | | | Diet: An apple a day may keep lung cancer away. |
| cancer; then take measures to prevent the | | | | A Finnish study suggests that apples not only |
| disease. | | | | keep doctors away, but provide protection for |
| What are the risk factors for lung cancer? | | | | the lungs as well. This study found that people |
| Gender: Unfortunately, women seem to be more | | | | who ate the most apples were 58 % less likely |
| vulnerable to lung cancer. Research has shown | | | | to develop lung cancer. Other studies suggest that |
| that female smokers are more susceptible to the | | | | lung cancer risk is lower among smokers and non |
| cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes. In | | | | smokers who ate at least 5 servings of |
| another study, a gene linked to abnormal lung | | | | vegetables and fruits daily. |
| cancer cell growth was found to be more active | | | | Beta Carotene: A high intake of beta carotene |
| in women than in men. It did not matter whether | | | | compounds can lower your lung cancer risk; |
| the women smoked or not. | | | | however, studies also show that the beta |
| A family history of lung cancer: Evidence suggests | | | | carotene is only effective when the compounds |
| that there is a lung cancer gene which | | | | are ingested from whole foods such as peaches, |
| predisposes offspring to develop lung cancer. | | | | melon, carrots, mangoes, dark leafy vegetables, |
| However, the evidence is far from conclusive as | | | | squash etc. The opposite effect seems to take |
| the situation is made difficult by the fact that | | | | place with beta carotene supplements. A Finnish |
| offspring of smokers have been exposed to a | | | | study reported 18% more lung cancer cases |
| smoking environment since childhood and would | | | | among heavy smokers who took beta carotene |
| therefore have a greater risk for developing the | | | | supplements. And a National Cancer Study on the |
| disease. | | | | effects of vitamin A and beta carotene was |
| Scarring from previous lung disease : Scarring in | | | | halted because smokers taking the supplements |
| lungs caused by tuberculosis or other lung disease | | | | had 28% more lung cancer than those taking a |
| can be a risk factor for lung cancer. | | | | placebo. |
| Second-hand smoke: Exposure to second-hand | | | | Selenium and Vitamin C: Taking selenium |
| smoke has been shown to be a definite risk | | | | supplements on a long- term basis has been |
| factor. Your risk increases by 30 percent from | | | | shown to decrease the incidence of lung cancer. |
| daily exposure to second-hand smoke. This is | | | | In one study, people taking 55-200 mcg of the |
| probably the most significant risk factor for lung | | | | mineral daily had a 46% lower rate of lung cancer. |
| cancer in non-smokers. | | | | As well, studies indicate that people who take less |
| Exposure to radon: Radon is an odorless gas than | | | | than 90 mg of vitamin C on a daily basis may |
| can seep out of the soil into buildings. Worse yet, | | | | have a 90% higher risk of lung cancer than those |
| the gas can seep from the soil into water near | | | | who take 140mg or more. |
| residential communities. Radon has been implicated | | | | Avoid second-hand smoke and check your house |
| as a potential cause of lung cancer. | | | | for radon. |
| Air pollution: Long-term occupational exposure to | | | | There are never guarantees in life, but it makes |
| diesel exhaust fumes may increase lung cancer | | | | perfectly good sense to take some preventative |
| risk by 47%. Air pollution in general is a risk factor | | | | measures as these can not only improve your |
| in the general population. Swedish researchers | | | | overall quality of health and life but also prevent |
| estimate that as many as 1 in 10 cases of lung | | | | lung cancer. |