Small-Cell Lung Cancer Causes

• The predominant cause of both small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer is tobacco smoking. However, small-cell lung cancer is more strongly linked to smoking than non-small-cell lung cancer.



• Even secondhand tobacco smoke is a risk factor for lung cancer.



• All types of lung cancers occur with increased frequency in people who mine uranium, but small-cell lung cancer is most common. The prevalence is increased further in persons who smoke.



• Exposure to radon (an inert gas that develops from the decay of uranium) has been reported to cause small-cell lung cancer.



• Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer by 9 times. A combination of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking increases the risk by as much as 50 times.