This kit provides a variety of information for patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer and their families.
Paper copies of this kit are available from your respirologist, internist, thoracic surgeon or cancer patient navigator.
There is no single cause of lung cancer, but some factors increase the risk of developing it. Some people can develop lung cancer without any risk factors, while others who have these factors do not get it.
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
Some of these risk factors - exposure to asbestos, arsenic, air pollution and other chemicals - are even greater if you're a smoker.
- From Lung Cancer: Understanding Your Diagnosis (Canadian Cancer Society, 2013; Revised November 2016). Accessed August 10, 2017 from Canadian Cancer Society.
It is never too late to quit using tobacco.
Quitting tobacco use after a cancer diagnosis reduces the risk of infection from surgery, reduces the side-effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy and improves treatment outcomes.
If you want to quit:
The Canadian Cancer Society offers a free, confidential, telephone-based Peer Support program.
This program connects people living with lung cancer with a lung cancer survivor who is a trained volunteer. The volunteer listens, offers encouragement and shares ideas for coping – all from their unique perspective as someone who’s been there.
Family members can also be connected with volunteers who have cared for a person with lung cancer.