Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer-related death. When it’s detected early, however, the five-year survival rate increases to 92%.

One way to detect lung cancer at an early stage is through lung cancer screening. If you are a current smoker or have smoked previously, talk with your doctor to see if you qualify for screening. 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force considers someone at high risk for lung cancer if they are 50-80 years old with a 20+ pack-year history, meaning they smoked 1 pack/day for 20 years or 2 packs/day for 10 years, etc., and either currently smoke or quit in the last 15 years.

Risk Factors

There are known risk factors, such as smoking, that are associated with lung cancer. Some risk factors can be changed. Your health care provider may refer to these as modifiable risk factors. Risk factors you can change include:

• Smoking – the leading risk factor for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 80% of lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Cigarette smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
• Radon exposure – the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., radon is a radioactive gas released by rocks, soil and water. Buildings and homes, particularly older homes, with foundation issues or crawl spaces can have high levels of radon. If you think your home may have high levels of radon, it’s important to check using a radon home testing kit.
• Secondhand smoke – the third most common cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Fainting Spells

Some risk factors for lung cancer cannot be changed or are non-modifiable. These risks include:

• A personal or family history of lung cancer
• Previous radiation therapy to the chest – people who had radiation for another type of cancer have a higher risk of lung cancer
• Air pollution – approximately 1% to 2% of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. are thought to result from air pollution

Having risk factors does not mean a person will develop lung cancer, and people without known risk factors can still be diagnosed.