As I wrote this title I can already hear my kids. "Mom - is there anything that doesn't raise the risk of cancer?" So I'll jump to my defense first. Lung cancer is most treatable in the earlier stages of the disease. If people know they are at risk, perhaps they will be more likely to watch for the early symptoms of lung cancer and catch it in those stages.
We know from previous studies that COPD is associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer, and that risk seems to be independent of smoking.
But a new study looked at 2 other common conditions: chronic bronchitis and asthma.
Among people living with chronic bronchitis, there was an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs.
Among those with asthma, the risk of small cell lung cancer was elevated.
It's important to note that this study was done looking at tin miners in China and may not apply to people in other occupations in the United States.
So what does this mean for you or your loved ones?
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States, and as of yet, we don't have a widely available screening tool for early detection. If you have a history of lung disease talk to your doctor. And check out these tips on lowering your risk:
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sources:
Fan, Y. et al. Prior lung disease and lung cancer risk in an occupational-based cohort in Yunnan, China. Lung Cancer. 2011 Feb 28 (Epub ahead of print)
Rooney, C. and T. Sethi. The Epithelial Cell and Lung Cancer: The Link between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer. Respiration. 2011. 81(2):89-104.
