NAVIGATING PF
What Are the Risk Factors for
Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Risk factors for PF include:
Age: PF is more likely in patients over age 50 compared with younger patients.
Smoking: More smokers or former smokers develop PF than nonsmokers.
Occupation: Certain occupations, like mining, farming, dentistry, or construction
increases the likelihood for PF in which people may be exposed to harmful chemicals
or dust particles over time.
Cancer treatment: Radiation treatments and certain chemotherapy drugs increase
the risk for pulmonary fibrosis.
Genetic factors: Some families have genes that do not function normally and lead to
scarring of lung tissue.
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