Primary lung cancer has a high association with which risk factor?

Primary lung cancer has a high association with which risk factor?

• A. Smoking
• B. Alcohol
• C. Asbestos exposure
• D. Radiation exposure

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that tobacco use is the strongest risk factor for primary lung cancer. Inhaling tobacco smoke exposes lung tissue to numerous carcinogens, causing DNA damage that can lead to cancer over time. The risk rises with the amount and duration of smoking (pack-years) and declines after quitting, though it can remain elevated for years. This makes smoking the dominant factor compared with other exposures. Other factors do play a role. Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk, and the combination of smoking with asbestos greatly elevates risk, more than either factor alone. Radiation exposure also increases risk, but not to the same extent as smoking. Alcohol does not have a meaningful association with primary lung cancer.

The main idea is that tobacco use is the strongest risk factor for primary lung cancer. Inhaling tobacco smoke exposes lung tissue to numerous carcinogens, causing DNA damage that can lead to cancer over time. The risk rises with the amount and duration of smoking (pack-years) and declines after quitting, though it can remain elevated for years. This makes smoking the dominant factor compared with other exposures.

Other factors do play a role. Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk, and the combination of smoking with asbestos greatly elevates risk, more than either factor alone. Radiation exposure also increases risk, but not to the same extent as smoking. Alcohol does not have a meaningful association with primary lung cancer.