Do you know? Open the door┋There are many high-risk factors for lung cancer. Do this to prevent lung cancer!

Experts in this article: Liu Jiang, chief physician, director of the Oncology Department of the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, national health science popularization expert, member of the Capacity Building and Continuing Education Oncology Committee of the National Health Commission, member of the Science Popularization Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, chairman of the Health Science Popularization Professional Committee of the Xinjiang Medical Association, and chief science communication expert of the autonomous region.

Every November is the International Lung Cancer Prevention and Control Awareness Month. Lung cancer is now the malignant tumor with the highest mortality rate in the world. A large amount of data shows that my country has become the world's largest country for lung cancer. Epidemiological evidence shows that the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in my country currently rank first among malignant tumors. Lung cancer seriously threatens the lives and health of Chinese residents.

Relevant data show that the incidence of lung cancer in my country has increased by more than 400% in the past 30 years. It is imperative to further strengthen the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

Internationally recognized high-risk factors for lung cancer

0 1 Smoking and passive smoking

Smoking is currently recognized as the number one risk factor for lung cancer.

A large amount of research data shows that long-term smokers are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. The younger the age of exposure to tobacco, the greater the chance of developing lung cancer. This is mainly related to the harmful substances in cigarettes. During the burning process of cigarettes, more than 3,000 chemical substances are produced, of which 69 are carcinogenic and cancer-related harmful substances, such as poly-chain aromatic hydrocarbons, benzopyrene, nitrosamines, etc.

The dangers of secondhand smoke cannot be ignored.

Secondhand smoke also contains carcinogens, and the content is even higher than firsthand smoke. The carbon monoxide content of secondhand smoke is 5 times that of firsthand smoke, the tar and nicotine content is 3 times that of firsthand smoke, and the content of strong carcinogen nitrosamine is 50 times that of firsthand smoke. The US Surgeon General Report confirmed the causal relationship between secondhand smoke and lung cancer, and estimated that non-smokers who live with smokers have a 20-30% increased risk of lung cancer.

0 2 Air Pollution

Research has found that outdoor air pollution has become the second highest risk factor for lung cancer in the world after smoking. Air pollution mainly comes from traffic, indoor cooking and fuel combustion. Among air pollutants, fine particles and coal combustion products are the most dangerous, followed by products from the combustion of biofuels.

0 3Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A systematic search and meta-analysis of studies published domestically and internationally since 1995 exploring the strength of the association between COPD and lung cancer showed that the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients is 1.43 times that of patients without COPD.

0 4 Occupational exposure

A variety of special occupational exposures can increase the risk of lung cancer, including asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, silicon, soot and coal dust, etc. The radon content is high around uranium mining areas, and building materials are the main source of indoor radon, such as granite, brick sand, cement and gypsum, especially natural stone containing radioactive elements.

Three analyses from Europe, North America and China showed that the risk of lung cancer would increase by 8% for every 100Bq/m3 increase in radon concentration.

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0 5Genetic factors

A study conducted by the School of Medicine of Maryland on the relationship between family history of lung cancer and the risk of lung cancer concluded that the risk of lung cancer is closely related to family history. People with a family history of lung cancer have a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer themselves, and the risk increases with the number of relatives suffering from lung cancer.

For people who have one or two first-degree relatives with lung cancer, their relative risk of developing lung cancer is 2.57 times that of those with no family history; if a person has three or more first-degree relatives with lung cancer, his or her relative risk of developing lung cancer will increase to 4.24 times that of those with no family history.

Based on the above high-risk factors for lung cancer, we have compiled the following suggestions for preventing lung cancer.

0 1 Quit smoking and stay away from tobacco smoke environments

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the incidence of lung cancer. The earlier you quit smoking, the more obvious the reduction in lung cancer incidence will be. For the sake of your own life and the health of your family and friends, you should quit smoking as soon as possible.

People who are passive smokers should avoid being exposed to tobacco smoke and discourage people around them from smoking.

0 2Avoid air pollution

When air pollution is serious, try to avoid traveling or wearing protective masks, but please note that we should choose protective masks that meet national standards rather than some decorative masks. For specific selection, please refer to the following figure:

0 3 Standardized diagnosis and treatment

Patients with COPD should receive regular diagnosis and treatment; people with high-risk factors for COPD should also undergo regular screening to take preventive measures.

0 4Avoid occupational pollution

Try to improve the working environment, such as using a wet rock drill when drilling a rock wall; when the site is flat, you can equip a sprinkler truck to allow the dust in the air to adhere to the sprayed water droplets. Good ventilation can also significantly reduce workers' exposure to occupational harmful substances.

Wear protective masks, goggles, gloves, etc. to avoid direct contact with carcinogens.

0 5Regular physical examination

The "Chinese Lung Cancer Screening Standards" issued by the National Cancer Center in 2020 and the "Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening, Early Diagnosis and Early Treatment in China (2021, Beijing)" issued in 2021 recommend lung cancer screening for people at high risk of lung cancer. It is recommended that people at high risk of lung cancer should meet one of the following conditions:

(1) Smoking: Smoking pack-years ≥ 30 pack-years, including former smokers ≥ 30 pack-years but quit smoking for less than 15 years.

(2) Passive smoking: living or working in the same room with a smoker for ≥ 20 years.

(3) Suffering from COPD.

(4) Have a history of occupational exposure (to asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, nickel, silicon, coal smoke and coal dust) for at least 1 year.

(5) A first-degree relative diagnosed with lung cancer.

LDCT is recommended for lung cancer screening in the above high-risk groups.

Kind tips:

Scientific diet

Studies have shown that eating more green leafy vegetables and tomatoes has a significant effect on preventing lung cancer. This is because the progesterone in vegetables and the red pigment contained in tomatoes and other ingredients have anti-cancer effects.

Strengthen your exercise

Studies have shown that people who regularly exercise have a much lower risk of lung cancer than ordinary people. It is recommended that you exercise for 20 minutes every day, which can not only enhance immunity but also reduce the risk of lung cancer.