Not Smoking but Got Lung Cancer, How come?
Maybe we haveheard that there are people who do not smoke but have lung cancer. Can this happen? In fact, besides smoking there are several other factorswhich can increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer.
Smokeis a causelung cancerthe most frequent. However, not all cases of lung cancer occur in active smokers. ForTo avoid this disease, you should know the causes of lung cancer in people who don't smoke.
Various Causes of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Here are some things that can be causes and risk factors for people who don't smoke but get lung cancer:
1. Exposure to radon gas
Exposure to radon gas is known to be one of the causes of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon gas is naturally present in the air and is generally harmless. Even so, the level or concentration of radon gas can increase in houses built on soil containing natural uranium deposits.
In a study, it was found that the risk of developing lung cancer was higher in people who lived for years in an environment contaminated with radon gas.
2. Too often become passive smokers
Too often inhale other people's cigarette smoke, for example due to living in the same housewithactive smokeror working in a smoker's environment, can also cause lung cancer. The reason is, cigarette smoke has a number of substances that are carcinogenic and can damage lung tissue.
3. Exposure to asbestos
Asbestos exposureAlsocan increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer. This is because asbestos fibers that are inhaled into the body can survive in the lung tissue for a long time. This is very dangerous, so that the use of asbestos in the industrial sector has been restricted and even banned in several countries.
4. Exposure to air pollution
Air pollutionjuga contribute to the occurrence of lung cancer. In fact, the world health organization (WHO) has determined types of outdoor air pollution, such as vehicle exhaust, wood stoves, and coal-fired power plants, as carcinogenic materials.
5. There is a genetic factor
Genetic or hereditary factors play a role in increasing a person's chances of developing lung cancer. Having a parent or family member with lung cancer can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
6. There is a gene mutation
Gene mutationcan cause changes in the nature of lung cells to become malignant. It is also a cause of lung cancer.
So, even if you are not an active smoker, the risk of developing lung cancer is still there. The things mentioned above are some of the causes and risk factors for lung cancer in non-smokers.
As much as possible, avoid these things and adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you don't smoke but are at risk of developing lung cancer, it is advisable to have regular checkupsdoctorto find out the health condition of your lungs. Check your lung health at RSU Hermina Medan with a lung specialist