The Facts About Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Non-smokers may think that they are not at risk of getting lung cancer, but research tells us something different. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly 20% of deaths attributed to lung cancer (approximately 30,000 Americans in 2018) involve non-smokers. That means about one in five people who die of lung cancer either never smoked or smoked only for a short period of time before quitting.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are five general causes of lung cancer that do not involve the use of tobacco, the known and accepted primary cause of the disease. These are:
Radon gas exposure;
Exposure to passive smoke, also known as “secondhand smoke”;
Work conditions related to asbestos or diesel exhaust fumes;
Air pollution; and
Heredity or family history of lung cancer.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is found in some homes when it seeps into the living environment from cracks in the foundation from uranium found in rock and soil. The EPA has published an online guide that explains how to assess the risk in your own home and access inexpensive test kits to check for radon where you live.
Secondhand smoke refers to the smoke inhaled from others smoking near you. The rate of deaths related to secondhand smoke has dropped in recent years after laws were passed in many places making it illegal to smoke in public places like bars, restaurants, and airplanes.
People who work in the automotive or construction trades may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer if exposed to asbestos or diesel exhaust fumes. Single or casual exposure does not pose great risk, but prolonged or repeated exposure could lead to lung cancer. Government regulations have improved working conditions in these areas, also decreasing the risk.
Similarly, government regulations also help keep air quality good and limit pollution that can lead to lung cancer after prolonged exposure. Those who live in urban areas or near industry are at a greater risk than those in rural areas.
Researchers are currently studying the heredity or genetic links in lung cancer. Because not all smokers get it, there is the thought that some people may be genetically predisposed to lung cancer. Those same people, even if they have never smoked tobacco, may also be at increased risk for lung cancer if a close family member has been diagnosed.
Unlike other widely diagnosed cancers, lung cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as it often presents with no early symptoms and routine screenings do not occur to assess for it, as it is primarily attributed to the behavior of smoking.
If you do have a family history of lung cancer, either a parent or sibling, or numerous extended family members being diagnosed (grandparents, aunts, or uncles), talking to your doctor about that is a good idea. Your doctor can determine if screening would be beneficial, especially if you have been exposed to other risk factors. “It is not uncommon for lung cancer to be detected by accident, if you will, when a patient is being tested for a different medical concern. A shadow may appear on a CT scan or an x-ray taken for the shoulder or ribs may present a troubling image of the lung. If your doctor knows of a family history of lung cancer or that you have been exposed to radon or workplace conditions that increase your risk, that diagnosis may be made much quicker,” says Srilata Gundala, MD, a hematologist/ oncologist and the founder of Hope & Healing Care Centers in Lombard and Hinsdale, Illinois.
Research from Yale University also shows that non-smokers tend to get a different type of lung cancer than smokers. While lung cancer caused by smoking tends to result in solid tumors, lung cancer in non-smokers is more diffuse and grows more slowly. It also appears to be more responsive to treatments, including targeted therapies that are less toxic than traditional chemotherapy. Non-smokers with lung cancer are also better candidates for surgery, as their lungs are better able to withstand the surgery and the recovery.
While it is known that not smoking is the best way to limit the risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and assessing your environment for other risk factors like radon gas or asbestos are other things non-smokers can do to keep themselves lung cancer free.
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
