Funding for the Lung Health Hub is provided by AstraZeneca. All content is developed independently by Outcomes4Me; AstraZeneca has no influence on the content of the site.
Your personal risk factors don’t just influence your chances of developing lung cancer; they also shape what your follow-up testing looks like after discovering a lung nodule. For example, depending on your individual risks, you may need more frequent scans or additional testing to closely monitor changes. This is part of creating and understanding your personalized care plan. By knowing what your specific risk factors are, you can better understand why your doctor recommends certain next steps and feel more prepared for conversations at your visits.
Keep reading for an overview of some of the most common lung cancer risk factors your care team will consider when designing a personalized plan after a lung nodule is found on a scan.
Smoking tobacco
Smoking cigarettes is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. People who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop or die from lung cancer than those who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke can also increase your risk, even if you’ve never smoked yourself.
Although smoking is a significant risk factor, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Catherine Meador shares an important message:
Environmental risk factors
Some environmental exposures can damage lung cells and increase your risk. Breathing in radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can raise your risk over time, especially if it accumulates indoors. Recent data also finds that exposure to polluted air can affect lung health. Contact with asbestos, a substance once commonly used in construction, has been linked to lung cancer. Exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, and nickel can also contribute to risk.
Family history
Having close relatives with a history of lung cancer, particularly if they were diagnosed at a young age, can increase your likelihood of developing the disease. This increased risk can stem from inherited genetic factors, shared environmental exposures, or a combination of both.
Previous health conditions and treatments
A history of certain lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis) or lung damage can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Additionally, previous cancer diagnoses and some past cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy to the chest, can also increase your risk.
If you’ve been told you have a lung nodule, it’s important to think about these risk factors and gather as much information as you can about your personal and family medical history, lifestyle habits, and any potential environmental exposures. Sharing these details with your care team will help them create and explain a personalized care plan that fits your unique situation, whether that means routine monitoring, additional scans, or other next steps to safeguard your health.
Personalized support for real care decisions
Understand your diagnosis, explore clinical trials, and track symptoms--all in one place.
Get started
Compare treatments, prepare for appointments, and track side effects—all in the app
Built for your diagnosis, Outcomes4Me gives you the tools to make confident, informed decisions—right when you need them.
Continue in app
