Smoking Avoidance
Smoking Cessation
Beta Carotene
Radon Exposure
Vitamin E/Tocopherol

Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Lung Cancer Screening; Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment; Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment and Prevention and Cessation of Cigarette Smoking: Control of Tobacco Use are also available.

Based on solid evidence, cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and therefore, smoking avoidance would result in decreased mortality from primary lung cancers.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from a randomized controlled trial.
• Internal Validity: Good.
• Consistency: Good.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Decreased risk, large magnitude.
• External Validity: Good.

Based on solid evidence, long-term sustained smoking cessation results in decreased incidence of lung cancer and of second primary lung tumors.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from case-control and cohort studies.
• Internal Validity: Good.
• Consistency: Good.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Decreased risk, moderate magnitude.
• External Validity: Good.

Based on solid evidence, high-intensity smokers who take pharmacological doses of beta carotene have an increased lung cancer incidence and mortality that is associated with taking the supplement.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from randomized controlled trials.
• Internal Validity: Good.
• Consistency: Good.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Increased risk, small magnitude.
• External Validity: Good.

Based on solid evidence, exposure to radon increases lung cancer incidence and mortality.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from case-control and cohort studies.
• Internal Validity: Fair.
• Consistency: Good.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Increased risk that follows a dose-response gradient, with small increases in risk for levels experienced in most at-risk homes.
• External Validity: Fair.

Based on solid evidence, taking vitamin E supplements does not affect the risk of lung cancer.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from four randomized controlled trials.
• Internal Validity: Good.
• Consistency: Fair.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Strong evidence of no association.
• External Validity: Good.

Back to Top

< Previous Section  |  Next Section >