Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung start to grow rapidly in an uncontrolled manner. Lung cancer can start anywhere in the lungs and affect any part of the respiratory system. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Some well-established risk factors are associated with lung cancer. Changing your lifestyle can, over time, gradually reduce some of your risk factors for developing lung cancer.

The most important prevention measure is to not use any tobacco. If you do use tobacco, you can reduce your risk for lung cancer by quitting. Your risk will gradually decrease over 10 to 15 years as your lungs recover. Quitting smoking reduces your risk for developing cancer and your risk continues to decrease as long as you don't smoke. The benefit of quitting smoking is greater if it occurs at a young age.

Lung Cancer Treatment at Moores UCSD Cancer Center