Beware the Silent Enemy That Creeps in Without Smoke

Despite the longstanding stereotype linking lung cancer to smoking, medical reality is revealing a different picture: an increasing number of lung cancer cases are being diagnosed in non-smokers. This shift has led experts to consider it a distinct disease with biological features that differ from tobacco-related cancers.

In this context, Dr. Andreas Wick, an oncologist at the University of Zurich, explained that one of the most common forms of lung cancer in non-smokers is adenocarcinoma. This type can even appear in people in their early thirties with no history of smoking. It is often discovered at an advanced stage due to the absence of clear early symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

According to a report by the BBC, this form of cancer is on the rise, particularly among women of Asian descent. Female hormones are believed to play a role in the development of the disease, paving the way for new research into its underlying mechanisms.

The causes of lung cancer in non-smokers are varied. They include prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants such as cooking fumes, toxic gases, and solid fuels (like wood and coal), as well as secondhand smoke. Women are especially vulnerable to these factors due to spending extended time indoors.

Outdoor air pollution is also a major contributor, driven by car emissions, factory output, and coal combustion. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, air pollution caused more than 190,000 cases of lung adenocarcinoma in 2022, most of them in East Asia, along with more than 1,000 cases in the United Kingdom alone.

Despite these challenges, medical research has made remarkable strides in recent years in both diagnosis and treatment, significantly improving survival rates. Some patients now live for more than ten years after receiving appropriate treatment, compared to an average of just one year in the past.

This shift calls for a rethinking of prevention strategies, public awareness, and early screening—even for those who have never smoked. Lung cancer is no longer exclusive to smokers.