Making healthy lifestyle choices and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals are effective ways to help prevent lung cancer. This disease develops when malignant (cancerous) cells form in the lung tissue.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the United States. Understanding how to reduce your risk through prevention strategies is essential.

Who is most at risk?

Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. It contributes to about 90% of cases in men and 80% in women. People who smoke are estimated to be 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who do not.

Your risk depends on how many cigarettes you smoke each day and how long you’ve been smoking. The more you smoke, the higher your risk becomes. Using low-tar or low-nicotine cigarettes does not reduce this risk.

In addition to smoking, other risk factors include:

  • Beta carotene supplements: Smokers who take beta carotene supplements have a higher risk of lung cancer, especially if they also drink alcohol.

  • Exposure to harmful substances: Chemicals like radon and asbestos are known to raise lung cancer risk.

  • Family history: Individuals with close relatives who have had lung cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease themselves. Genetic links are being studied, but smoking habits within families may also play a role.

  • HIV status: People living with HIV are at a higher risk of lung cancer.

  • Secondhand smoke: Inhaling smoke from other people’s cigarettes can also cause lung cancer due to exposure to toxic substances.

How to reduce risk

The most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking. Although screening does not prevent lung cancer, it can help detect the disease early when treatment is more effective.

Quit smoking

The best approach to avoid lung cancer is never to start smoking. However, even if you’ve smoked for many years, quitting can significantly lower your risk. Those who quit for more than 15 years can reduce their risk by up to 80–90% compared to people who continue to smoke.

After quitting, damaged lung tissue slowly begins to repair itself, and the likelihood of cancerous cells forming decreases. Although quitting can be difficult, several tools are available to help, including:

  • Nicotine replacement products

  • Prescription medications like antidepressants

  • Counseling or behavioral therapy

Get screened for lung cancer

Lung cancer screening is not suitable for everyone but may be helpful for people at high risk, such as current or former heavy smokers. Screening aims to detect lung cancer in its early stages.

Healthcare professionals recommend annual screening for adults aged 50–80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

What is a pack-year?
A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. For example, smoking one pack per day for 20 years equals 20 pack-years.

The preferred screening method is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Studies show that LDCT can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer by 20% and overall death risk by 7%.

However, LDCT is not perfect. Research shows that about 25% of people who undergo annual LDCT screenings for three years receive abnormal results, and over 95% of those are false positives—meaning the test suggests cancer is present when it isn’t.

Despite this, LDCT remains a valuable tool for detecting early-stage lung cancer and guiding medical decisions.

Reduce workplace exposures

Workplace exposure to cancer-causing agents used to be more common, but labor laws and safety regulations have helped reduce these risks. Nonetheless, some environments may still pose a threat.

Substances linked to increased lung cancer risk include:

  • Asbestos

  • Arsenic

  • Beryllium

  • Cadmium

  • Chromium

  • Nickel

  • Tar and soot

Additionally, exposure to radiation—whether through certain cancer treatments, medical imaging like CT scans, or proximity to electrical power sources—can raise your risk of lung cancer.

Avoid radon exposure at home

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and harmful to human health. It forms from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and can seep into buildings through cracks in the floor or foundation.

Testing your home for radon is essential, especially in areas known for high radon levels. Home testing kits are widely available, and if radon levels are high, a radon mitigation specialist can help reduce exposure.

Discuss with your healthcare provider

If you have a personal or family history of smoking or lung cancer, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider. They can assess your individual risk and help you make changes that reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

A provider can also help determine whether you are a candidate for lung cancer screening and offer guidance on quitting smoking or avoiding other risks.

A quick review

Although lung cancer cannot always be prevented, there are effective ways to reduce your risk. The most important step is to quit smoking.

Other prevention tips include avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals, and testing your home for radon. If you’re at higher risk, consult your healthcare provider about lung cancer screening and personalized strategies to protect your health.