What causes Lung Cancer?

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Not smoking or quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to avoid getting lung cancer.

• Cigarettes: Most lung cancers (90 to 95%) are due to smoking. The risk of getting lung cancer is directly linked to the number of cigarettes you smoke every day and the years you spend smoking.
• Pipes/cigars: If you smoke cigars or pipes, you have a lower risk than cigarette smokers, but you are still at a higher risk than non-smokers.
• Low tar cigarettes: If you smoke low tar cigarettes, you do not have a lower risk, as these smokers tend to inhale quite deeply.
• Cannabis: It is believed that cannabis smoking can do the same damage to the lungs as cigarette smoking.
• Passive smoking: This also increases your risk of developing lung cancer, although not as much as a smoker.
• Asbestos exposure: Being exposed to asbestos over a long time can cause mesothelioma. This is a type of lung cancer. Other chemicals are thought to put workers at a higher risk.
• Radon: Radon is a gas found normally in the soil. Being exposed to high levels of radon has been linked to lung cancer.