Lung cancer begins when cells in the lungs grow out of control and take over healthy cells.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. More than 170,000 men and women in the United States get lung cancer each year.

Men and Women who:

• Smoke
• Are age 50 and older
• Have close family relatives with lung cancer
• Breathe in cancer-causing agents during work, at home or outside (for example, asbestos or radon)
• Have scars in the lungs from many lung infections, such as tuberculosis

• Tobacco smoking is the single leading cause of lung cancer.
• Secondhand smoke may cause more asthma, colds, and ear infections in children.
• Lung cancer is not very common in people under age 40.
• Stopping smoking anytime, even after smoking many years, can still help to repair lung damage.

Screening tests for lung cancer are currently not used. The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.

If you have trouble with your lungs your doctor might suggest some special tests, such as:

• Chest X-ray
• CAT Scan
• Cytology
• Biopsy

• The best way you might prevent lung cancer is not to smoke
• Young people should not start smoking. Those who already smoke should quit.
• Everyone, especially babies and children, should avoid breathing in other people's smoke (secondhand smoke).
• Stay away from cancer-causing agents like asbestos and radon.