Causes

Anyone can get lung cancer, even people who have never smoked. Around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked¹.

We don’t know exactly what causes lung cancer, but we do know it’s connected to how our cells grow. Sometimes, changes in our cells happen because of things around us, like what we eat, chemicals we’re exposed to, and where we live and work.

Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. The more you smoke, the higher your risk. But even if you’ve never smoked or have quit, you can still get it. The risk is lower if you stop smoking, but it’s still higher than for people who never smoked. People who currently smoke are 9 times more likely to get lung cancer than people who have never smoked. This goes for all types of smokes, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, menthol cigarettes and light cigarettes.

Risk factors of lung cancer

Your risk of developing lung cancer increases with these factors:  

• Working around harmful substances: Things like asbestos, silica, dust, coal, radon, radioactive ores, and diesel fumes can be harmful. These substances at work are a significant cause of lung cancer, especially in men. In Australia, they cause 29% of lung cancer in men².
• Being around harmful chemicals: Some chemicals, like arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, vinyl chloride, nickel, chromium, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers, can also increase your risk. 
• Exposure to pollution: Polluted air from factories, cars or other vehicles and even small particles of stuff in the air can be a problem. These solid particles can be in the air, especially near building sites, gravel pits, fires, and dusty roads.
• Second-hand smoke: Exposure to second-hand smoke (also known as passive smoking) increases your risk of lung cancer. The longer your exposure to second-hand smoke, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer.
• History of disease: Some diseases, like HIV or lung problems like emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis, can make lung cancer more likely.
• Family history: If someone in your family has had lung cancer, you may be slightly more likely to get it too.
• Older age: Lung cancer is more common in older people, especially those over 60.

What about vaping?

We don’t know yet if vaping causes lung cancer because it’s still new. Scientists need more time to figure this out. But we do know that vaping coats your lungs with a range of harmful chemicals. 

Lung cancer can affect any one of us. It’s important to treat everyone with respect and find ways to support people who are living with lung cancer. Your unconditional support can make a big difference.

Sources

1. Lung Foundation Australia, Improving outcomes for Australians with lung cancer: A Call to Action (2016) 
2. Cancer Council WA, “Occupational exposures to carcinogens in Australia: Workers compensation claims paid in Australia 2000-2012”, (Monograph Series 2015)