When it comes to lung cancer, you might not think you’re at risk if you’ve never smoked. While it’s true that most cases of the disease are linked to smoking, an estimated 10% to 20% of people with lung cancer have never picked up a cigarette.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month calls for increasing knowledge and advocacy around the disease. Nearly 250,000 Americans receive a lung cancer diagnosis each year. Lung cancer is the third-most common cancer in the United Stated, but it remains the leading cause of cancer death.
It’s especially important for people with a history of smoking to get screened for lung cancer. At the same time, everyone should know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
“If something feels amiss or you’re experiencing a new symptom such as cough, shortness of breath, or fatigue for a sustained period of time, it’s always a good idea to check in with your primary care provider,” says Dr. Shaneli Fernando, a Radiation Oncologist with ThedaCare Cancer Care.
Cancer in Non-Smokers
Each year, approximately 20,000 to 40,000 non-smokers throughout the United States are diagnosed with lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Non-smoker is defined as people who have never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
While some non-smokers develop lung cancer for no clear reason, researchers attribute many cases to two main culprits: secondhand smoke and radon.
Secondhand smoke is defined as exposure to tobacco products. It can cause disease and premature death among people who do not smoke. There’s no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure can cause immediate harm, the CDC states.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can leak into your home and is common in Wisconsin. An estimated one in 10 homes in Wisconsin has high radon levels, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The agency recommends people have their home’s radon level tested. If the result comes back high, homeowners can consider installing a radon mitigation system.
Factors including air pollution and a family history of lung cancer also can contribute to an increased risk for developing the disease.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
“Lung cancer symptoms are the same regardless of whether you’re a smoker,” Dr. Fernando says. “While the disease often doesn’t have symptoms in its early stages, some people will develop signs.”
Watch for these symptoms:
- Coughing: Lung cancer can cause a cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse. It also may lead to coughing up bloody or rust-colored phlegm.
- Wheezing and shortness of breath: You may develop wheezing — a high-pitched whistle when you breathe, or difficulty drawing a breath.
- Infections that don’t resolve: This could be a case of bronchitis or pneumonia that doesn’t go away or keeps coming back, despite treatment.
- Chest pain: The discomfort often worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
- Hoarseness: Your voice may become quiet or raspy.
- Poor appetite and weight loss: You may experience loss of appetite or lose weight without trying.
- Feeling tired or weak: You may feel fatigued, even with adequate rest.
It can be tricky to pinpoint lung cancer symptoms because many can occur with common illnesses and ailments such as colds, viruses, and allergies, Dr. Fernando says.
“Pay attention to your body, and seek medical care for symptoms that concern you,” she says. “Seeing your doctor will help you get the treatment you need. And if you do get diagnosed with lung cancer, early detection is more likely to lead to a better outcome.”
