Who is at risk for lung cancer? If I have lung cancer are my children at risk?

Hi! Thank you for reaching out to us! While a family history of lung cancer can increase the likelihood of lung cancer development, the changes to the genes that cause cancer to develop are also caused by other factors, such as environmental factors including: smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, exposure to radon, exposure to asbestos and other work-related carcinogens, air pollution, and diet. As well, other risk factors include age and radiation therapy to the breast or chest. Here is some more information about lung cancer risk factors from our site: https://lungcancer.net/basics/risk-factors/. I do hope this is helpful! Thank you again for reaching out to us. We're glad you're a part of our community! Best wishes, Christina, LungCancer.net Team

There are several risk factors that increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer, including smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, age, exposure to radon, asbestos, or other workplace carcinogens, the use of beta-carotene spplements in smokers, family history of lung cancer, diet, radiation therapy to the breast or chest, and air pollution. More information is available on these risk factors here: https://lungcancer.net/basics/risk-factors/ . There is a genetic component to the development of lung cancer, as the incidence of lung cancer is greater in those with a family history of the disease, with or without smoking or exposure to environmental carcinogens. One meta-analysis that leveraged data from 32 studies demonstrated a 2-fold increased risk for lung cancer in people with a family history of the disease, for both smokers and non-smokers.