Who is at risk? Tobacco users Tobacco use is by far the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. The longer a person uses tobacco and the more he or she uses, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer. If a person stops smoking before cancer develops, the damaged lung tissue gradually improves.

Other Risk Factors Secondhand smoke Nonsmokers who breathe in the smoke of others, called secondhand smoke, are at increased risk for lung cancer. Secondhand smoke Nonsmokers who breathe in the smoke of others, called secondhand smoke, are at increased risk for lung cancer. Asbestos Asbestos is another risk factor for lung cancer. People who work with asbestos have a higher risk of getting lung cancer. If they smoke as well, the risk is greatly increased. Cancer-causing agents in the workplace These include asbestos, radon, arsenic, vinyl chloride, coal products, and radioactive ores like uranium. If people who are exposed to these agents also smoke, their risk is greatly increased.

Quality-of-life issues From the time of diagnosis, the quality of life for every cancer patient and survivor is affected in some way. The American Cancer Society has identified four quality-of-life factors that affect cancer patients and their families; these factors are social, psychological, physical, and spiritual.

The concerns that patients and survivors most often express are fear of recurrence; chronic and/or acute pain; sexual problems; fatigue; guilt for delaying screening or treatment, or for doing things that may have caused the cancer; changes in physical appearance; depression; sleep difficulties; changes in what they are able to do after treatment; and the burden on finances and loved ones. People with lung cancer tend to be distressed about their physical appearance, including weight loss, the social stigma and guilt associated with a history of tobacco use, and end-of-life issues due to the low survival rate for this cancer.

In recent years, the quality of life for those who are living with cancer has received increased attention. No one has to make the cancer journey alone. The American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network® is an online community for people with cancer and their families and friends. To participate, visit www.cancer.org/csn.

Emerging Trends Emerging trends in the area of lung cancer include: Prevention Researchers continue to study how to help people quit smoking through counseling, nicotine replacement, and other medications. They are also studying ways to convince young people not to start smoking.
Studies continue to test ways of preventing lung cancer in people at high risk by improving their diet and using vitamins or medications. Genetic measure is being studied to help determine if some individuals are likelier than others to develop a dependence on nicotine. Earlier diagnosis Many researchers are testing ways to make early lung cancer detection possible.

These include using new technology, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, and evaluating new tests that identify DNA changes in lung cancer cells. Treatment Researchers are studying targeted therapies that interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow. These new drugs generally have fewer and less severe side effects than chemotherapy.

Many clinical trials are in progress to test new targeted therapies, individually and in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Also, a growing number of researchers are investigating gene therapy’s potential for preventing or treating lung cancer. New medications for smoking cessation Scientists are investigating several new medications to help smokers stop. Examples include a vaccine that would prevent the brain from absorbing nicotine and a drug that would act like nicotine in the brain but without causing tobacco dependence.

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