IF YOU ARE AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING LUNG CANCER

If you are a current or former smoker, have been exposed to asbestos, radon, otherenvironmental factors, secondhand smoke, or have a family member who developed lung cancer but who did not have those risk factors, then you may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.

If you are at risk of developing lung cancer, the most important thing you can do is to quit smoking (if you smoke). Because smoking can cause cancers other than lung cancer, such as cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, larynx, bladder, and others, stopping smoking will reduce your risk of developing those cancers, too. Research shows that smoking cessation has many benefits that are apparent soon after quitting, such as lowered blood pressure and increased lung capacity. Depending on how long and how much you smoked, quitting may not completely erase your risk of developing lung cancer, but it will definitely reduce the risk.

Because smoking is an addiction, it can be difficult to quit. However, years of research have resulted in methods that can work. These behavioral methods are often used together with aids such as nicotine patches or gum. There are also medications that can be prescribed by your physician to help you to quit. Many organizations offer assistance in quitting. The American Cancer Society provides a guide to quitting smoking.

Because environmental factors other than smoking can increase your risk of lung cancer, it is important to reduce or eliminate those factors. Examples of environmental factors include asbestos, radon, and secondhand smoke. If you have been exposed to asbestos or radon, you can take steps to decrease or eliminate those exposures.

Also, if you are at risk of developing lung cancer, talk with your doctor about research on screening techniques. Screening is a controversial topic, yet research is underway on new imaging techniques and identifying molecular markers, so it's a good idea to speak with your physician.

Researchers are looking into the use of chemoprevention agents, including certain vitamins, to see if they can help reduce a person's risk of developing lung cancer and also to reduce the chance that the cancer will recur, or come back. To date, no chemopreventive agent has shown success in doing so, and in one instance,research showed the addition of the chemoprevention agent (b-carotene) might have increased the risk of developing lung cancer. If you are thinking of taking high doses of specific vitamins or minerals, or a combination of them, you should consult your healthcare provider. If you are concerned that you may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals, talk to a dietitian about your diet and ways to increase your nutrient intake by consuming a varied diet that includes vitamin-rich colorful fruits and vegetables.