Causes
Many different influences are involved in the development of lung cancer, but there are some factors that increase the personal risk of developing lung cancer. The development of lung cancer is not yet completely understood. As with all cancers, there is an uncontrolled division of cells and an unchecked destructive growth.
It is assumed that various changes in the genetic material of the body cells are the trigger. These changes can be caused, for example, by toxins that act on the DNA. The main risk factors for the development of bronchial carcinoma are inhalative noxae (toxins): smoking is by far the most important factor, more than 90% of all bronchial carcinomas are the result of cigarette smoking.
Tobacco smoke contains about 40 different cancer-causing substances that promote the development of bronchial carcinoma. The so-called “pack year” is used as a measure of nicotine consumption. A “pack year” means the consumption of 1 pack (corresponding to about 20 cigarettes) daily for one year, i.e. a total of about 7200 cigarettes.Risk increase factors 1-14 cigarettes -> 8-fold 15-24 cigarettes -> 13-fold > 25 cigarettes -> 25-foldThe risk also increases with the time a person smokes in his or her life, and the earlier a person starts smoking the higher the risk.
Stopping smoking can clearly reduce the risk. A number of studies show that four to five years after giving up smoking, the risk decreases noticeably and approaches the level of non-smokers after 10 years. If all people would give up smoking, there would be 1/3 less cancer diseases in the world.
Environmental toxins
Only about 5% of all bronchial carcinomas are caused by environmental factors. Cancer-causing agents would be e.g. asbestos, arsenic and chromium compounds, nickel, polycyclic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzpyrene contained in exhaust gases), quartz dust, etc.
Furthermore, radioactive substances, whereby the gas radon plays the largest role. It is released from the earth through cracks in masonry or poorly sealed pipes into the home. The radon load can be reduced by measures such as wall sealing or frequent ventilation.
