Medical Center Tips

I'm Shelby Cullinan with today's health news.  Avoiding cigarettes is one way to prevent lung cancer-but could getting to higher altitudes also work? Those who live in cities with higher altitudes might not only enjoy beautiful views, but also healthier lungs- and that could lead to a lower chance of getting lung cancer, a new study says.  In this study, published in the journal PeerJ, researchers observed that for every increase in height of 1,000 meters, the rate of lung cancer decreased by about 13 percent from the average rate of occurrence.  There are, on average, almost 57 cases of lung cancer per 100,000 people. That number decreased by about seven in the higher elevations, according to the study. The authors of this study believe that a decrease in oxidation could be the reason behind lower lung cancer rates.  Oxidation occurs when oxygen inhaled by the body forms chemical reactions in the body.  These reactions create substances called free radicals that damage cells.  Speak to your doctor for more information.