While tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer, other factors can also increase your risk. You may be at a higher risk if you:

• Have a history of smoking: This includes current and past use.
• Have been exposed to radon: This odorless gas can build up in old homes or buildings and is the top cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers. 
• Breathed in dangerous materials: Like secondhand smoke, air pollution and workplace chemicals including arsenic, diesel exhaust or asbestos. 
• Have a certain health history: Including previous chest radiation, or existing lung diseases like emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Have a family history: Genetics can play a role in your risk levels.

You can be screened for lung cancer long before you have symptoms. A painless, low-dose CT scan can detect cancer early. You may be eligible if you:

• Are between ages 50 and 80
• Have a "20-pack-year" smoking history (e.g., 1 pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10 years)
• Smoke now or quit smoking within the last 15 years

 Talk to your doctor to check if a screening is right for you.

There are several types of lung cancer, and they all have different treatment plans. Each type is named for how the cancerous cells look under a microscope.

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type. It generally grows and spreads more slowly than small cell carcinoma. NSCLC falls into 3 main groups:
  • Adenocarcinoma: Usually grows slowly in the tissues outside the lungs.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma: This type typically grows inside the airways in your lungs. Often, signs of squamous cell lung cancer appear sooner than with other lung cancers.
  • Large cell lung cancer: A type that can occur anywhere in the lungs.
• Small cell carcinoma (SCC): Found in 10 to 15% of cases, this type is more aggressive. It’s commonly treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
• Mixed lung cancer: A rarer diagnosis, where the tumor can be a mix of non-small and small cell carcinomas.

No, mesothelioma isn’t lung cancer, but it is a type of cancer. It’s caused by exposure to asbestos and forms in the lining of the lungs. Lung cancer forms inside the lungs. 

Our specialists use precise technology to quickly and accurately assess your lung health. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Imaging tests: CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds identify tumors and check if they have spread.
• Navigational bronchoscopy: During this procedure, a thin, camera-tipped tube is used to view and capture images of hard-to-reach areas in your lungs.
• Biopsy: A small tissue sample taken via a needle or minor procedure finds out if cancer cells are present.