Major risk factors for lung cancer include:
(1) tobacco smoking
(2) smoking other drugs of abuse (marijuana, other)
(3) indoor cooking oil fumes (rapeseed, soy, other)
(4) radon
(5) asbestos
(6) mining, especially uranium
(7) exposure to heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel)
(8) family history of cancer, especially lung cancer
(9) exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(10) exposure to vinyl chloride
(11) exposure to bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME)
Other factors that may play a role:
(1) chronic pulmonary inflammation
(2) significant medical radiation to the thorax
(3) heavy air pollution
Risk factors of uncertain importance:
(1) human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the airways
