Although associated with smoking, surprisingly many cases of lung cancer occur even in non-smokers. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of lung cancer patients in the world did not indulge in smoking. The disease is gradually becoming more widespread in women and younger adults. This observation brings us to the question, what causes lung cancer in non-smokers, why is there an apparent increase and what do we know about it?
1. Non-Smokers Can Get Lung Cancer Too
The reality baffles many people. The truth is that lung cancer can affect anyone and every single person on the planet is veritably at risk. Studies reveal that non smokers suffering lung cancer tend to have different environmental as well as genetic risk factors than smokers. The difference between the two will often baffle researchers seeking deeper understanding of the disease.
2. Secondhand Smoke Increases the Risk
Indirectly smoking increases the risk for lung cancer by as much as 20 to 30 percent. This claim is deeply rooted in the fact that non smokers living with smokers or working in areas filled with smoke are much more vulnerable. Shocking yet surprising, even non smokers are not immune to developing the disease when exposed to a smoking environment.
3. Air Pollution is a Major Factor
Air that we breathe sadly does have substances which are harmful, many of which are in fact found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and industrial chemicals. One of the major side effects is lung tissue damage over time. Studies have shown the risk of developing lung cancer escalates due to prolonged exposure to highly polluted air.
4. Changes in Genes Contribute
As with other cancers caused by smoking, lung cancer for smokers is typically associated with the cleaving of cancerous cells by cigarette poisons, but for non smokers, it’s primarily caused by genetical changes. Some of these changes include:
- Uncontrolled multiplication of cancerous cells due to an EGFR (Epidermal Grown Factor Receptor) mutation.
- Aggressive tumor formation secondary to ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene rearrangement.
- ROS1 and KRAS mutations further dictate the nature and spread of the disease.
The development of these mutations opened new avenues for the treatment of lung cancer by designing therapies that aggresively inhibit the multiplication of cancerous cells while having little to no effect on normal cells.
5. Exposure to Radon Gas is a Secret Dander
A combination of unique radioactive emitting gases that has been found under the ground and in rock formations is known as Radon. In particular, it has a tendency to build up in people’s houses especially on basement floors as well as in places with limited ventilation. Radon remains for a prolonged duration of time on the outside and is known to be the second reason, after cigarette smoking, for lung cancer for many non-smokers.
6. The Significance of Personal and Workplace Risks
For some roles, such as construction and mining, tactical asbestos usage in construction and shipbuilding, diesel exhaust while operating machines in transport and factory work, and even arsenic or silica dust while working in mining and manufacturing pose threats to employee health by exposing them to known carcinogenic materials. Polygonal shapes made by cut stone blocks are very likely to appeal more to experienced cigarette smokers. The monotonous work of construction is extremely boring and cigarette smoking fulfills the need for some stimulation.
While these people could bear it without the prolonged usage of cigarettes, odds are that such individuals will become victims to lung cancer.
7. Non-smokers often fail to get early diagnoses for the lung cancer
Chronic cough, fatigue, or even shortness of breath paired with non-smoker status comes with a benefit of doubt. This is often regarded as a less likely candidate for lung cancer. Because of this, non-smokers get diagnosed much later, making treating them much harder and in more cases than not, ineffective.
8. Non smokers are treated quite differently when it comes to lung cancer
Patients suffering from lung cancer and have never smoked in their life are much more likely to have a positive treatment response to some form of therapy that focuses on distinct genetic mutations. Such treatments include: EGFR inhibitors Osimertinib and Erlotinib, ALK inhibitors Crizotinib and Alectinib, and ROS1 inhibitor Entrectinib. Surviving lung cancer tends to offer chemotherapy, punchless treatments, but instead these medicines, which enable to greatly increase survival rates due to having less side effects, unlike chemotherapy.
9. The Effect of Lifestyle Choices
By changing to a healthier lifestyle and reducing the intake of harmful substances, the risk of getting lung cancer is reduced. The major non-smokers need to be concerned about the air pollution, radon gas in their homes, and any potential workplace hazards.
10. Protective Actions and Timing of a Diagnosis
Non-smokers shouldn’t usually be screened for lung cancer, unless there’s a family history of lung cancer, having a chronic cough, or certain occupational exposures. In any of these cases, consulting a physician is advised. The chance of achieving a good result gets worse the longer the identification is deferred.
Expert Cancer Care by Dr. Pooja Babbar
Lung cancer, both in smokers and non-smokers, is something that can be managed with specialized care and treatment. Pooja Babbar, a well-known medical oncologist, has taken care to be present with dozens of cancer patients at different stages to help them through the treatment cycle. She meticulously devises a comprehensive treatment strategy involving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, as well as immunotherapy, to individual needs.
Getting in touch with Dr. Pooja Babbar enhances the chances of someone suffering from, or even suspecting, lung cancer. The combination of early initiation of a diagnosis with appropriate medicare ensures that the outcome would be optimistic in terms of better quality of life.
