Prevention of Small cell lung cancer

Different factors are responsible for causing various types of cancer. The researchers have contributed to determining the factors that cause small cell lung cancer involving several ways of its prevention. However, no definite methods have been studied towards the complete prevention of small cell lung cancer. Hence, there is a need for lowering the risk of developing small cell lung cancer. Appropriate communication of the patient with the healthcare team is regarding the personal risk towards small cell lung cancer is essential.

One of the most effective methods for risk prevention towards small cell lung cancer is to avoid tobacco consumption. The individuals who never smoke have a lower risk of small cell lung cancer. Hence the individuals who have smoking habits show a reduction in small cell lung cancer risk by eliminating smoking. Still, the risk for small cell lung cancer development will be higher among the individuals who never smoked. Several attempts have been made to prevent small cell lung cancer by taking vitamins and opting for other treatments, but these have not shown efficacy. 

The best method of preventing small cell lung cancer is quitting smoking regardless of the individual’s age and years of tobacco consumption. This quitting habit results in the healing procedure and the risk of developing small-cell lung cancer starts to decline. Some of the other preventive measures against small cell lung cancer are :

• Consumption of nutritious diet
• Regular physical exercises
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Testing the homes regarding radon exposure which is a natural, odourless and radioactive gas
• Installing a mitigation system for eliminating the radon exposure within the houses if required
• Protection of the individuals from the cancer-causing chemicals such as arsenic, asbestos, nickel at work

Other Prevention factors of small cell lung cancer

Clinical trial cancer prevention for small cell lung cancer is another protective factor; clinical trials for lowering the risk of developing small cell lung cancer is also now relevant ^​1,2​. Some cancer prevention trials have been carried out among healthy individuals who did not have cancer but are prone to cancer risk. Other prevention trials have been conducted among the individuals who already had cancer and are trying to protect them from another cancer to lower their chance of developing a new cancer type. The primary aim of cancer prevention clinical trials is to determine the individuals’ actions towards cancer prevention while involving the appropriate eating habits of consumption of fruits and vegetables, exercising, quitting smoking, or taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, and food supplements. 

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