There may be some ethnic differences in lung cancer risk. For example, African-American men have about a 45% higher risk of developing lung cancer than Caucasian men. It is not clear what factors are responsible for this higher risk. Some African Americans appear to have a genetic vulnerability to the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.
In China, about one-third of all young male smokers will eventually die because of tobacco-related illnesses. Their risk for lung cancer, however, is much less than it is for chronic lung disease, the opposite of the Western trend. The lower rate of lung cancer among Chinese people might be due to a slow rate of clearing nicotine, which results in smoking fewer cigarettes.
Socioeconomic Differences
Low income and a lack of education have been linked to an increased risk for lung cancer. Researchers say socioeconomic status is connected to other factors involved in lung cancer risk, such as smoking, diet, and exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in the workplace.
Environmental Factors
People with High Exposure to Radon. Studies have shown that radon raises the risk of lung cancer in underground miners by 40%. It is unclear whether the results of these studies would apply to people exposed to radon in their homes. Homes or buildings built on landfills that contain high levels of radon are the most likely sources of this low level, chronic exposure.
A cumulative long-term exposure to radon and smoking also increases the danger. Most people move an average of 10 or 11 times over their lifetime, so the risk of developing lung cancer through radon exposure is very low in most individuals, even for those who lived for a while in areas with high radon levels. People with homes that have high radon levels and those who sleep or spend a long time in basements with detectable but moderate levels should consider taking protective measures.
Workers Highly Exposed to Carcinogens. An estimated 9,000 - 10,000 men and 900 - 1,900 women develop lung cancer each year because of occupational exposure to carcinogens. More than half of these cases are attributable to past exposure to asbestos, which has long been known to be a risk factor for mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura, the lining around the lung) and can increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. With better protective measures, these rates are expected to fall in the future.
Other chemicals that put workers at risk for lung cancer include:
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Review Date: 07/01/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
