What are the causes of lung cancer? Check out the four major causes of lung cancer

The cause of lung cancer is closely related to smoking. The incidence of lung cancer in smokers is 10 times higher than that in non-smokers. The incidence of lung cancer in heavy smokers is even higher, 20 times higher than that in non-smokers.

Lung cancer is a tumor disease with a very high mortality rate. Relevant research results show that there are many reasons for lung cancer. Most people think that the reason is smoking. In fact, in addition to smoking, there are many other factors that lead to the disease. What are the specific reasons? In order for everyone to understand this knowledge, let's briefly introduce it below.

1. Occupational factors: After years of investigation and research, it is now recognized that long-term exposure to radioactive substances such as uranium and radium and their derivatives, carcinogenic hydrocarbons, arsenic, chromium, nickel, copper, tin, iron, coal tar, asphalt, petroleum, asbestos, mustard gas and other substances can induce lung cancer, mainly squamous cell carcinoma and undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. These are important factors leading to the etiology of lung cancer.

2. Smoking: According to a large number of survey data from various countries, the cause of lung cancer is closely related to smoking, and the increase in the incidence of lung cancer is parallel to the increase in cigarette sales. Cigarettes contain a variety of carcinogens such as benzopyrene. Experimental animals that inhale cigarette smoke or apply tar can induce respiratory and skin cancer. The incidence of lung cancer in smokers is 10 times higher than that of non-smokers, and the incidence of lung cancer in heavy smokers is even higher, 20 times higher than that of non-smokers.

3. Air pollution: The incidence of lung cancer is high in industrially developed countries, higher in cities than in rural areas, and higher in factory and mining areas than in residential areas. The main reason is that in industrially and traffic-developed areas, the atmosphere is polluted by harmful substances such as benzopyrene carcinogenic hydrocarbons produced by the combustion of oil, coal, internal combustion engines, and asphalt road dust. Therefore, this is also one of the causes of lung cancer. Survey materials show that the incidence of lung cancer is also increased in areas with high concentrations of benzopyrene in the atmosphere. Air pollution and smoking may promote each other and play a synergistic role in the incidence of lung cancer.

4. Chronic lung diseases: such as tuberculosis, silicosis, and pneumoconiosis can coexist with lung cancer. The incidence of lung cancer in these people is higher than that of ordinary people. In addition, chronic inflammation of the lung bronchus and pulmonary fibrosis and scar lesions may cause squamous metaplasia or hyperplasia during the healing process. On this basis, some lung cancer patients may develop into cancer.