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