When you hear someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, most of the time, people will assume it is a middle-aged man who’s been smoking for quite a while now. Well, it is true, but in recent decades, the rate of lung cancer among never-smokers has risen dramatically.
According to a 2023 study published in the National Review of Clinical Oncology, lung cancer in non-smokers is considered the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
But, how do these non-smokers get lung cancer?
Why do non-smokers develop lung cancer?
Many people associate lung cancer with cigarette smoking, making it the greatest risk factor for the disease. However, there is one in five people who are recorded to die of lung cancer but have never smoked in their entire lives.
To shed light on the confusing question of how someone can get lung cancer without smoking, here are the other risk factors that can contribute to an increased risk of the cancer:
- Radon gas: It is an invisible and odorless gas that’s released from the soil and can enter your home through the foundation. When you breathe a high amount of radon, it can increase your risk of lung cancer.
- Air pollution: Inhaling high amounts of car fumes, toxic gases from factories, and other pollutants can damage the lungs.
- Secondhand smoke: When you inhale smoke from other people’s cigarettes, that is considered secondhand smoke and is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The best example of this is those people who grew up with a smoker in their family.
- Family history: For those who have a family member who never smoked but developed the disease before the age of 50, have a greater risk
Signs of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
The symptoms of lung cancer in non-smokers are almost the same in smokers. Most of the signs and symptoms are often assumed to be from other conditions, making them seek treatment, until the condition gets worse.
You should be aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, especially if you have a family history of the disease:
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- A persistent cough that worsens over time
- Swelling of the face or neck
How To Prevent Lung Cancer If You Don’t Smoke
Lung cancer can be very crucial because it can affect smokers, non-smokers, and former smokers. To reduce the risk of others in your family who don’t smoke, take note of the following:
- Avoid public spaces where smoking is allowed.
- Always bring a facemask or a handkerchief whenever you pass by or go near a smoking area or a place where there’s a lot of smoke.
- Never allow smoking inside your home or car.
- Get a radon home test available.
Get Lung Cancer Treatment at Healthway Medical Network
In Healthway, we offer several doctors with an easy and smooth booking of appointments for everyone in need. We have several Medical Professionals who specialize in various diseases, and to start your treatment with Lung Cancer, we have Pulmonologists. If you are having a hard time, you can visit our site: https://healthwaymedicalnetwork.com.ph/ to learn further details and be informed about other health-related news and articles.
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