Abstract

ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LUNG CANCER

Roshni PR*, Aiswarya Purushothaman, Remya Reghu and Meenu Vijayan

ABSTRACT

Lung cancer has become the number one killer among cancers worldwide. It is one of the commonest malignant neoplasms all over the world. The causes of high incidence rates of Lung cancers may be both internal (genetic, mutations, hormonal, poor immune conditions) and external or environmental factors (food habits, industrialization, over growth of population, social etc.). In the present scenario almost 80% of population is having lung cancer due to smoking and 15% of non-smokers are affected from this disease are often attributed to a combination of genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos, pesticides and air pollution including passive and static smoking. Farmers mostly end up with lung cancer as they rely heavily on the use of chemical pesticides to get rid of their pest problems. Because lung cancer is usually diagnosed at later stages, early detection as a result of screening may offer the best opportunity to decrease lung cancer mortality. In view of the facts, the present article describes the environmental and occupational risk factors associated with Lung cancer.

Keywords: Lung cancer, industrialization, Smoking, asbestos, pesticides.