How Common is Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project plan...
Key Takeaways
- About 1 in 5 people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, showing that smoking is not the only cause of the disease.
- Key risk factors for nonsmokers include secondhand smoke, radon gas exposure, air pollution, workplace chemicals such as asbestos and diesel exhaust, and a family history of lung cancer.
- Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, radon and airborne pollutants can help lower risk. Because symptoms often do not appear until later stages, persistent symptoms such as a lingering cough, chest pain or shortness of breath should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare provider.
You’ve never smoked a cigarette, so you may not think about lung cancer.
Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, but it’s not the only cause. And people who have never smoked can still develop lung cancer. There are many possible causes, including exposure to certain pollutants and a family history of this kind of cancer. Let’s look more at lung cancer in people who don’t smoke, the risk factors and prevention.
How common is lung cancer in nonsmokers?
There are nearly 230,000 new cases of lung cancer this year in the United States, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Women are diagnosed with about 8,000 more than men. There are nearly 125,000 lung cancer deaths a year – it’s the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
Smoking is the cause of about 85% of lung cancer deaths. But about 1 in 5 people who receive a lung cancer diagnosis have never smoked or have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes during their life, according to the ACS.
Lung cancer in smokers vs. nonsmokers
| Category | Smokers | Nonsmokers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary cause of risk | Direct tobacco use | Environmental exposures, genetics and other risk factors |
| Share of lung cancer deaths linked to smoking | About 85% | Not smoking eliminates this risk factor, but lung cancer can still occur |
| Common risk factors | Smoking, secondhand smoke, chemical exposure | Secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, chemical exposure, family history |
| Can develop lung cancer? | Yes | Yes |
| Common symptoms | Lingering cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing and hoarseness | Same symptoms as smokers |
| Best prevention strategy | Quit smoking as soon as possible | Avoid secondhand smoke, test for radon and minimize exposure to pollutants |
Risk factors of lung cancer for nonsmokers
Here are some of the main risk factors for those who don’t smoke:
- Secondhand smoke: Tobacco smoke still has cancer-causing agents and breathing it in regularly can lead to cancer in people who don’t smoke.
- Radon gas: This odorless and colorless gas can build up indoors and is a leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
- Exposure to chemicals: Regularly working or being around chemicals such as asbestos and diesel exhaust can increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Air pollution: Particles from traffic exhaust, factories and power plants can increase cancer risk.
- Family history and genetics: Having a parent or sibling with lung cancer can make it more likely you’ll get lung cancer.
Ways to lower your risk for lung cancer
The top way to lower your risk for lung cancer is to not smoke or to quit smoking right away. A few other things you can do are:
- Avoid secondhand smoke: As many as 6,000 people will get lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke every year.
- Test your home for radon: Use a test kit from a hardware store to ensure your indoor air quality is safe. There are specialists who can help you if your radon levels are high.
- Limit your exposure to airborne chemicals and pollution: Wear safety equipment at work or when working around chemicals, and keep your windows closed when outdoor pollution levels are high.
- Learn your family history: Know if there is a history lung cancer in your family, especially in parents and siblings as this could mean you have a higher risk of this type of cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer
It’s important to know lung cancer symptoms whether you know you have an increased risk or not. The symptoms are the same for tobacco users and those who don’t smoke. Here are common symptoms of lung cancer:
- A lingering cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath and wheezing
- Hoarseness
Lung cancer symptoms typically don’t appear until an advanced stage. If you have any of these symptoms, see your primary care provider immediately. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment can be.
Photo credit: Getty Images
