Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dildar Hussain, MBBS [2]

Primary prevention of non-small cell lung cancer includes avoidance of smoking, smoking exposure, exposure to asbestos, and other high-risk occupational jobs.

The following preventive measures reduce the risk of non-small cell lung cancer:^[1][2]

• Avoid smoking
• Avoid second-hand smoking exposure
• Avoid radon exposure
  • Homes and other buildings in nearly any part of the United States can have high indoor radon levels (especially in basements)
• Avoid or limit exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
• Healthy eating habits
  • The following have a protective effect against lung cancer due to higher beta-carotene content:^[3]
    • Retinoids
    • Selenium
    • Multivitamins