2024 Re-emphasizes that this is a six-high-risk factor for lung cancer!

Pulmonary cancer of the original bronchial pulmonary cancer originated in the pneumatic mucous membrane and pulmonary bubbles. According to our National Cancer Centre, our lung cancer morbidity and mortality rate has been the highest for many years. Lung cancer is a malignant tumour that poses a serious threat to human health and is associated with multiple risk factors. These risk factors cover a number of aspects, including lifestyle, environmental exposure and genetic factors. Among them, smoking and second-hand smoke exposure are considered the most important risk factors, and occupational exposure and family history also play a non-negligible role in the occurrence of lung cancer. The Shanghai City Association against Cancer published the 2024 edition of the Recommendations for the Screening and Prevention of Common Malicious Cancers among the Population, highlighting the following six points as high risk factors for lung cancer, particularly those over 40 years of age:

Smoking

Smoking is the most common risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco contains a wide range of carcinogenic substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrousamine, which can damage the DNA of lung cells and cause mutation of genes, thus causing lung cancer. Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer 10-30 times, and the number and number of years of smoking are in a dose-response relationship to the risk of malignant tumours. The higher the amount of tobacco smoke and the longer it takes, the higher the risk of lung cancer. For example, the risk of lung cancer is significantly higher for those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day and have had more than 20 years of smoking than for those who smoke less and have less. In addition, studies have clearly shown that there is a significant correlation between long-term smoking and increased risk of death. For older people who quit smoking, the survival rate has increased significantly over time, and the longer they quit, the lower the risk of cancer-specific deaths. More than 20 years of smoking cessation is expected to reduce the excess mortality rate by about 84.6 per cent compared to current smokers.

Second-hand smoke exposure

Even without smoking, frequent exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer. Second-hand smoke also contains a wide range of carcinogenic substances, the hazards of which cannot be minimized. There is a high risk of cancer in frequent smoke environments such as indoors, workplaces, restaurants or bars. Inhalation of second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20-30 per cent.

History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The risk of lung cancer among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased significantly. COPD is a chronic lung disease whose pathological characteristics are not fully reversible by air current restrictions. Long-term chronic inflammation can lead to abnormal growth and cancer in lung cells. Studies have shown that the risk of lung cancer is two to four times higher for COPD patients than for normal people.

Occupational exposure

Occupational groups with long-term exposure to high-cancer substances such as asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, silicon, coal smoke and soot are more vulnerable to lung cancer. Asbestos is a mineral that is widely used in construction and manufacturing, and prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestos lung, increasing the risk of lung cancer. Radium is a colourless and odourless radioactive gas, derived mainly from radioactive element decay in soil and rocks, and has a higher risk of lung cancer among people exposed to high radon over time.

Family history of first-degree relative lung cancer

The risk of lung cancer among persons with a family history of lung cancer has increased significantly. If there are several relatives in the family who are suffering from lung cancer or who are young, the risk of lung cancer is higher for individuals. Genetic factors may play a role in the occurrence of lung cancer, and although no specific genetic mechanism has yet been fully identified, studies have found that some genetic variations may be associated with the susceptibility of lung cancer.

Genetic factors

Genetic factors play an important role in the incidence and development of lung cancer. 5p15 and 3q28 are considered lung cancer susceptibility points, where genetic variations may affect the susceptibility of individuals to lung cancer. The genetic risk assessment assesses the risk of lung cancer of individuals by studying their genetic background. At present, although genetic risk assessments are not yet the basis for the diagnosis of lung cancer, they can provide early warning to populations at high risk and prompt them to take more active preventive measures.