Lung Cancer Information for Kids

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer of adults in the United States. Smoking causes most lung cancers. Kids who smoke greatly increase their chances of later developing lung cancer as adults.

Smoking Raises Risk

• One-third of kids currently smoke. The average age they began was 11. Giving up smoking, no matter your age, greatly reduces your chance of getting lung cancer.

Threat of Radon

• Radon, a naturally occurring gas, is the greatest cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, killing about 2,900 non-smokers yearly. Children are more sensitive to radon than are adults.

Dangerous Second-Hand Smoke

• Second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of lung cancer. Children exposed to second-hand smoke also risk asthma attacks, frequent bronchitis and pneumonia and possibly ear infections.

Symptoms

• At any age, lung cancer symptoms can include a cough that won't go away, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, frequent illness, appetite loss and feeling tired.

Treatment

• Treatments for lung cancer may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, a type of laser therapy, cryotherapy to freeze and destroy the cancer or a combination of these.

Reducing Risks

• Children can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by never smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke. Also, homes can be radon tested and air pollutants avoided.