Cancerbackup: Q-232

Skip the page content navigation if you do not require links to content sections within this page.

Page Content Navigation

Skip the main banner if you do not want to read it as the next section.


Page Banner

Want to speak to a specialist cancer nurse? Call free on 0808 800 1234



The best cancer information for everyone.
Cancerbackup has merged with Macmillan. Together we can provide a wealth of high quality information about cancer.


Skip the secondary navigation if you do not want to read it as the next section.


Secondary Navigation

No secondary navigation available.

Cancerbackup is accredited by NHS Direct Online to deliver quality health information This website is accredited by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Alison

Do you want to meet other people with cancer? Join our What Now? community >>

Skip the main content if you do not want to read it as the next section.


My husband is a heavy smoker. Does this increase my risk of getting lung cancer?

Yes, unfortunately it does, although your risk is still much lower than that of a smoker. Non-smokers who live with smokers have a greater chance of developing lung cancer than non-smokers who live with people that don't smoke.

The risk is caused by breathing in secondhand cigarette smoke in the atmosphere. This is called passive smoking. The more cigarette smoke you are exposed to, the greater the risk. So, the more cigarettes your husband smokes in the house and around you, the more your risk is increased. Doctors think that about 1 in 4 lung cancers in non-smokers are due to passive smoking.

The best way to reduce your risk is for your husband to stop smoking. Or, if he won't give up, for him to smoke outside. If your husband would like to give up there are helplines he can contact for support and advice:

In the UK Quitline (Freephone) 0800 00 22 00

In Scotland Smokeline Scotland (Freephone) 0800 84 84 84 12pm-12midnight.


Content last reviewed: 28 November 2006
Page last modified: 01 December 2006

Get support

Look for other people in the same situation on our What Now? community - read their blogs or talk to them in our chat rooms.

Find out about other ways to get support on the main Macmillan website.

Related information