Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers

How Often Do Non-Smokers Get Lung Cancer?

If you don’t smoke, you have eliminated one of the most significant risk factors for lung cancer. However, this does not mean you’re invulnerable. Non-smokers may still develop lung cancer, especially when other risk factors are at play. In fact, in the United States, about 10% to 20% of lung cancer diagnoses occur in people who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

Understanding the full range of risk factors is essential. If you know your risk level, you can take proactive measures to reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

Genetic and Environmental Factors

Several factors can increase lung cancer risk in non-smokers. Genetics often play a role. Inherited mutations in a number of genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, can significantly increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. If a person has a family history of lung cancer, he or she can request predictive genetic testing to determine whether they carry a high-risk mutation.

In other cases, environmental factors may increase lung cancer risk. Exposure to the following substances has been linked to a significantly increased risk of lung cancer:

• Radon gas: This invisible, odorless gas can be found in homes built on soil that contains uranium deposits. Concentrated radon exposure accounts for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually.
• Secondhand smoke: Even if you do not smoke tobacco, you may still inhale smoke by regularly being in close proximity to somebody who does. Secondhand smoke causes more than 7,300 deaths annually.
• Carcinogens: Asbestos, heavy metals, and exhaust fumes have all been tied to higher chances of developing lung cancer, especially after prolonged or repeated exposure, which often occurs in the workplace.
• Air pollution: Vehicular and industrial air pollution has also been linked to cancer.

To reduce your risk of lung cancer, the best thing to do is to not smoke. However, you can also have your home tested for radon and, if the gas is detected, take measures to reduce radon concentrations for a safer living space. Limiting your exposure to secondhand smoke is also an effective risk-reducer, as is a balanced diet that incorporates a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Know When to Seek Lung Cancer Testing

Lung cancer screening is not typically recommended for non-smokers. However, if you have a family history of lung cancer or are routinely exposed to substances that increase your risk, you should speak with your primary healthcare provider about being screened.

You should also talk with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any signs and symptoms of lung cancer. These are similar for both non-smokers and smokers and include:

• Consistent coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing or hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss for no reason
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling in the face or neck
• Recurrent lung infections

The symptoms listed above can be caused by any number of conditions, so having one or more of them does not mean that you necessarily have lung cancer. However, it does mean that you should see your physician promptly for evaluation. If your physician determines that you are at increased risk for lung cancer, whether due to genetics, carcinogen exposure, or symptoms, the doctor may order lung cancer screening. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available to you – and the more effective they are likely to be.

How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

Evaluation of potential lung cancer starts with a physical exam and a review of the patient’s medical history. The physician may also order medical imaging. This could include:

• X-rays
• CT (computed tomography) scans
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
• PET (positron emission tomography) scans
• Bone scans
• Ultrasounds

If medical imaging identifies anything unusual, it will be followed by a biopsy. This test typically involves removing a small number of cells from the lung to examine them for signs of cancer. A biopsy can confirm whether the abnormality is cancerous and, if so, whether it has spread outside the lung.

Learn More About Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers at RCCA

Lung cancer is treatable. Treatment outcomes are best, however, when the cancer is caught early. If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, you can find the latest treatments – including targeted therapy and immunotherapy – at Regional Cancer Care Associates. We treat all types of cancer at more than 20 locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area. To learn more about lung cancer in non-smokers, contact us today at an RCCA location near you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers

Can non-smokers get lung cancer?

Yes. Although smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for lung cancer, non-smokers can still develop lung cancer.

What type of lung cancer is usually diagnosed in non-smokers?

Adenocarcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed lung cancer in non-smokers. This type of cancer starts in the outer areas of the lungs in mucus-producing cells. It tends to grow more slowly than other forms of lung cancer, making it less likely to spread. However, it can still metastasize if left untreated.

What treatment options are available for lung cancer?

Surgery and radiation play central roles in the treatment of lung cancer. Several types of medication also are prescribed to attack cancerous cells and prevent their spread or recurrence. RCCA offers a wide variety of treatments for lung cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. We also provide patients with access to clinical trials evaluating the latest lung cancer treatments.

What types of cancer do RCCA oncologists treat?

RCCA’s specialists treat the full range of cancer types, including breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancers. They also treat a variety of blood disorders.