Lung Health 101: 5 Simple Ways to Lower Your Risk of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a serious disease, but there are several simple steps you can take to reduce your risk. Below are five simple ways to protect your lung health and reduce your risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer occurs when cells present in the lung significantly change their DNA. A cell’s DNA is crucial as it contains certain information that tells it what to do and what not to do. The DNA of healthy cells gives them detailed instructions on how to grow and multiply at a certain rate. Sudden changes in DNA due to cancer result in too many cells, leading to the formation of a mass called a tumor. The tumor can destroy healthy tissues in the body. In some cases, cancer cells can grow larger and spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic cancer.

Lung cancer is a serious disease, but there are several simple steps you can take to reduce your risk. Here are five simple ways to protect your lung health and reduce your risk.

Tips to reduce the risk of lung cancer

1. Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Smoking causes a lot of damage to the lungs and increases the chances of developing lung cancer. Smoking can cause lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Cigarettes contain various toxins and harmful chemicals that affect the lungs and the body in general. Quitting smoking can be beneficial in improving the quality of life and well-being.
2. Maintain a healthy diet: Your diet should include plenty of options like vegetables, fruits, legumes, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Choose foods with valuable properties like antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, fibers and minerals. Avoid eating packaged, processed and junk food; instead, choose healthy foods to protect your lungs. This can help protect your cells from damage and reduce the chances of developing cancer.
3. Exercise regularly: Maintaining physical health is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle and prevents the risk of lung cancer. For optimal results, it is recommended to engage in at least 45 minutes of physical activity or exercise a day. This can be achieved by doing a variety of activities such as cardiovascular exercises, going to the gym, weight lifting, squats, swimming, running, cycling, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.
4. Regular cancer screenings: People with a family history of lung cancer and who smoke for long periods should consider getting regular cancer screenings. This can help detect cancer cells early. Early detection can help save lives and lead to timely intervention. Visiting your doctor regularly for follow-up can be effective. Talk to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or breathing problems. Don’t ignore symptoms such as coughing up blood, hoarseness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, poor appetite, and tiredness, as these can be signs of lung cancer.
5. Limit exposure to chemicals: People who work in chemical factories and handle machinery must take utmost care of their lungs and follow safety precautions. This can be achieved by wearing a mask while working to prevent dangerous chemicals from entering your lungs. Working with harmful materials such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel can be deadly and people must be careful.