Lung Cancer Awareness Month: From smoking to pollution, your lungs are affected by all

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is a campaign designed to spread awareness about lung cancer and to educate the public about the potential causes and risk factors. This awareness month is also the time to pay attention to the experiences of those with lung cancer and their families, and show support and provide encouragement by those involved in their care.

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According to the World Health Organisation, “Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies. The cancer burden can also be reduced through early detection of cancer and management of patients who develop cancer.”

Causes of lung cancer

The most common cause of lung cancer is long-term smoking. Even exposure to second-hand smoke for prolonged periods may trigger lung cancer. However, there are other causes as well like exposure to radon gas, carcinogens and family history.

The increasing menace of air pollution is a serious health hazard, while also being a cause of lung cancer. There is no single way of tiding over the air quality concern. The best way forward is to have a concerted effort to make our living spaces safer for ourselves and the generations ahead.

Also watch: India's poorest 9 times more likely to die of air pollution than the rich: study