LUNG CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY

In most cases, lung cancer is strongly associated with direct
consumption of tobacco products. 4 In fact, 87% of all lung
cancers are detected in individuals who are active or former
smokers, with an additional 6% to 7% composed of partners
of smokers or their offspring (see Chapter 2). The second most
common known cause of lung cancer is radon, which is associated
with a significant increase in lung cancer risk, and with
other risk factors including asbestos exposure. Nonetheless, despite
the high degree of certainty that currently exists over the
link between tobacco smoke and lung cancer, the understanding
of these facts took several decades to clarify.