People's ideas about the causes of lung cancer

Research has shown that the major cause of lung cancer is smoking and the use of tobacco. Smokers and ex-smokers are at greatest risk of developing the disease, though giving up smoking by the age of 50 can rapidly reduce the risk. Some of the people interviewed here were sure that their lung cancer had been caused by smoking.

He believes that smoking and later passive smoking caused his lung cancer.

It is also known that mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer) is caused by contact with asbestos. It can develop many years after exposure to asbestos.

Explains that mesothelioma was caused by contact with asbestos.

People may develop lung cancer without ever having smoked themselves. The impact of environmental tobacco smoke on health has been disputed, but one man was told that his cancer had developed because of passive smoking. He felt annoyed and stigmatised when a doctor assumed he had been a smoker, (also see 'Feelings of stigma, shame and guilt').

He is sure that lung cancer patients are stigmatised because of smoking.

Pollution, both inside and outside the home, can probably increase the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to substances such as asbestos, uranium, chromium, nickel, radon, diesel exhaust fumes and synthetic fibres has been linked to the disease. Some people said that although health professionals had told them that their cancer was due to smoking, they believed that other factors, such as diesel fumes could have 'triggered' the disease. Many had given up smoking before their mid 40's and some did not believe that smoking could have caused their cancer.

Thinks his lung cancer was caused by smoking and other factors such as diesel fumes.

Some of those interviewed here were heavy smokers, but adamant that environmental factors and chemicals, such as spray paint, carbon dust, or asbestos, had contributed to their condition. A few people were angry that on occasion doctors appeared to be judgmental and unsympathetic, blaming them for their disease. However, one person's doctor had said that smoking and tobacco were not necessarily to blame.

Says that other factors such as environmental pollution, chemicals in food may be to blame as well as tobacco companies.

Diet may play a part in the incidence of lung cancer. Some evidence suggests that high consumption of saturated fats, and a low intake of fruit and vegetables increases the risk of the disease. One man thought that his diet may have played a part in causing his lung cancer.

Thinks his lung cancer was caused by smoking and another factor such as a poor diet.

Other suggestions by the people we interviewed about the causes of lung cancer included stress, bereavement, physical trauma and faulty genes. One woman was convinced that her cancer had been caused by a clot on the lung, and a man wondered whether or not cancer was a 'germ' that could be passed on to his grandchildren by kissing.

She thought it was not just due to smoking, but was hereditary.

A few people had no idea why they had developed lung cancer. They suggested that cancer was 'one of those things', 'a cell gone awry', or 'just something that happens'. One person suggested that her lung cancer might have been caused by an attack of Asian flu. Some pointed out that people can smoke all their lives yet not develop lung cancer.

Last reviewed May 2010.

Last updated May 2010.