There is no certain way to prevent lung cancer but there are lifestyle changes you can make today to lower your risk. There are also certain tests you can get if you are at risk of lung cancer, which are essential to early intervention and treatment. Improving the health of your lungs has many other health benefits too. Below we look at seven steps you can take to lower your risk of lung cancer.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health and bad for your lungs. It may be one of the most obvious points on this list, but it is also the most important. Lung cancer is on the rise across America and smoking is the culprit. To put it into facts, about 90% of all lung cancers are linked to tobacco smoke or smoking. If you want to reduce your risk of lung cancer and you smoke, you can cut down the chances of getting lung cancer by quitting today.
Smoking can increase the risk of getting lung cancer by 25 times for men and 25.7 times for women. The best way to minimize your risk of the disease is to quit. Even if you only smoke socially, this can still have an impact on your lungs and increases the risk of you becoming a full-time smoker. Quitting or not smoking in the first place is the best option for your lungs. After 10 years of being smoke free, your risk of developing lung cancer can drop by 30-50%.
If you do smoke, you should consider quitting for good. It may take a few attempts and a lot of willpower, but if you are ready to make the change and are worried about your health, speak to your doctor.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly has tons of health benefits and can even reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. For those who do regular physical activity, you could be lowering your risk by 20-50%. The more you work out, the higher the percentage. Studies are not able to determine how exactly exercise reduces your risks, but it is possibly down to the fact that exercising causes healthier lungs. It can increase your lung capacity and function and reduces how quickly your lungs age.
Exercise can also reduce inflammation on your lungs, which could cause cancerous cells to form. The more you exercise, the better your body is at fighting off disease and the more it is able to repair DNA. Exercise can be anything that you enjoy that causes you to work up a sweat and increase your breathing rate. If you struggle to do heavy exercise, try tai chi, yoga, or going for brisk walks.
Minimize Secondhand Smoke Inhalation
If you don’t smoke but someone in your household does, you could still be at a higher risk of lung cancer, especially if they smoke in the same room as you. Secondhand smoke is any smoke that is breathed in as a result of someone close by smoking a cigar or cigarette. You can also breathe in secondhand smoke from what they exhale, meaning even if you can’t see it, you are likely still inhaling it.
When you inhale any secondhand smoke, you could be inhaling more than 70 chemicals that are found in cigarettes and even a small amount of this can be harmful for your lungs. If people around you at work or home do smoke, make sure to get them to go outside or do it in a room on their own that is well ventilated.
Get Your Home Checked for Radon Gas
After smoking, radon gas has been found to be the second highest cause of lung cancer and is more likely to cause lung cancer in those who do not smoke. Radon is a gas that cannot be smelt or seen but it can be found in around 1 in 15 homes across America. Radon is radioactive and is released when soil and rocks break down.
It can get into your home through the air or water supply and cracks in the floors or walls. If you have radon in your home, it is likely to get worse over time. If you are worried about radon in your home, you can get your home tested. A specialist can come and do this, or you can purchase a home testing kit. If you do have a high level of radon gas in your home, contact a specialist who can help.
Avoid Exposure to Dangerous Pollutants
If you are exposed to certain chemicals or pollutants, this can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Some of the most hazardous substances include diesel exhaust, nicker, arsenic, asbestos, and soot. If you work in a place where you will be in contact with these pollutants, you must take care to use the appropriate PPE. If you aren’t sure if your employer is taking the right precautions, make sure to speak up to avoid unnecessary or unsafe exposure.
Eat a Balanced, Healthy Diet
What we eat can have a big impact on our health, including that of our lungs. Many foods can improve the health of your body, while others can have a negative impact and increase the risk of cancers, including lung cancer. To lower the risk of all cancers, limit the amount of red meats, alcohol, and processed foods you consume.
Fill up with plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. There are even some foods that have been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer, such as green tea, turmeric, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
Know Your Family History
Knowing your family history can help you to understand the likelihood of developing different diseases, such as lung cancer. Even if you do not smoke, if you have a family history, this could increase the chances of you getting the disease. If this is the case, your doctor may ask you to get regular tests, to check for any abnormalities on the lungs.
One test that can look into your lungs and check for abnormalities is a CT scan. Your doctor might refer you for a CT scan if you have a family history of lung cancer, to make sure that your lungs look healthy. CT scans are not intrusive and can provide clearer imaging for healthcare professionals to see inside your body.
They are a preventative measure which can stop or prevent lung cancer for those who are at risk. Ezra offer CT scans for lung cancer and have helpful articles covering topics such as, how long does a CT scan take? For more information on what to expect during a CT scan, check out Ezra.com.
Reducing your risk of lung cancer should start with ditching those cigarettes. If you don’t smoke, make sure to avoid places where you could inhale secondhand smoke. Improving your diet and exercise regime can also help. Knowing your family history is also essential so that you can take precautions that can help spot symptoms before they develop into anything more serious. If you are worried about your risk of lung cancer, speak to your doctor.