Exposure to radon is associated with an increased risk of which cancer?

• A. Brain Cancer
• B. Prostate Cancer
• C. Lung Cancer
• D. Skin Cancer

Answer: (C)

Radon exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is a radioactive gas that releases alpha radiation when its decay products are inhaled. Those alpha particles damage the cells lining the lungs, and over time this DNA damage can lead to cancer. The risk is higher with longer exposure and higher radon levels, and it’s especially concerning in homes with poor ventilation or in basements where radon can accumulate. Smoking additionally amplifies the risk, but radon alone can cause lung cancer in non-smokers too. The other cancers listed aren’t associated with radon exposure in the same causal way, since brain, prostate, and skin cancers have different etiologies.