Never smoked? Doctors warn the risk of developing lung cancer

Lung cancer, the second most common cancer in the United States, is often associated with smoking, but even those who have never had a cigarette could be at risk of fatal disease.

Although it is true that those who smoke are at much higher risk, up to 20% of lung cancers affect people who have never smoked or smoked less than 100 cigarettes during their lifetime, according to North -American Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC).

Despite this, the U.S. Preventive Services Force (USPSTF) does not recommend a screening of lung cancer for those who have never smoked, as the agency claims that risks can exceed possible benefits.

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Most lung cancers fall into two groups: non -small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to American Cancer Society.

NSCLC, which encompasses around 80% to 85% of all lung cancers, includes adenocarcinoma (common in non -smokers), flashing of scaly cells and large cell carcinoma.

The remaining lung cancers are classified into SCLC, a more aggressive type that tends to spread faster and has a poorer prognosis.

Mohamed Abazeed, MD, Doctor, President of Radiation Oncology and Professor of the William N. at the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, agrees that the part of the lung cancers diagnosed with never smokers is increasing, especially among women and patients of Asian ancestry.

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“Although global incidence is decreasing due to reduced smoking rates, the relative quota of never smokers grows and is reflected in clinical practice, where we can diagnose patients without traditional smoking background,” Fox News Digital told.

Dr. Lauren Nicola, a medical radiologist and medical manager of Reveal DX in North Carolina, said that he is also increasing the recently diagnosed lung cancer rate in non -smokers, particularly among younger women and adults.

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“Other factors include improvements in the image and wider use of TCs that have improved the detection of the tumor in the initial phase,” he said.

“It is estimated that about 8% of lung cancers are inherited or occurred due to a genetic predisposition.”

“Evolutionary environmental factors can also contribute to this change, with pollutants that can drive lung inflammation, which in turn has been involved in the development of cancer.”

Modifiable risk factors

Some of the greatest risk factors of non -smoking for lung cancer are ambient air pollution and second -hand smoke, according to Abazeed.

Exposure to thoracic radiation (high energy radiation in the chest area)-together with occupational dangers such as radon, asbestos and diesel-also escape can increase the risk.

Inflammation related to lifestyle, which is often linked to poor diet and sedentary behavior, can also play a role, Nicola said.

“Some of these, such as radon and air quality, can be addressed at home or politics,” said Abazeed.

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“Interventions of lifestyle, such as exercise, diet and avoidance of inner pollutants, can play a modest protective role.”

The two doctors said that the old smokers, especially those who smoked more often and for longer periods of time, remain at high risk even decades after quitting.

“The older the number of years of the package, the greater the risk,” said Nicola. “Risk decreases over time after leaving, but never returns to a non-smoker’s reference line.”

Genetic risk factors

Some people inherit a higher risk of developing lung cancer due to their DNA.

“It is estimated that about 8% of lung cancers are inherited or produced due to a genetic predisposition,” said Abazeed to Fox News Digital.

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“Inherited predisposition is an active field of research, especially in younger patients or in those with a strong family record.”

Having a first degree relative with lung cancer doubles the risk of developing the disease, even after controlling exposure to smoking, according to Nicola.

“Up to 50% of all CTs of the thorax will detect at least one pulmonary nodule.”

“Non -smoking cancers are more often associated with specific genetic mutations and genomic profiles,” he said. “This suggests that these malignant diseases have a different underlying biology compared to smokers’ tumors.”

Projections in question

The current U.S. screening guidelines call for annual TC -dosage explorations for high -risk individuals depending on the age and history of smoking, reiterated Abazeed.

The USPSTF recommends crib for “adults of 50 to 80 years old who have a 20 -year -old smoking story and have currently smoked or left in the last 15 years.”

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“There is a growing interest in expanding the eligibility to include non -smoking risk factors,” said Abazeed. “Tests are accumulated that could change current guidelines to the entire population.”

According to experts, there are some potential risks related to expanding screening, including the potential of lying and false positives.

“The problem of cribping everyone by lung cancer is that up to 50% of all thorax TCS will detect at least one pulmonary nodule,” Nicola said. “The vast majority of these nodules are benign, but a small percentage will be cancer.”

Based mainly on the size of the nodule, the doctor may recommend tracking images or biopsy.

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“New tools are being developed that can help us better characterize the risk of malignancy of a nodule, which will reduce the potential for damage associated with the screening of screening,” said Nicola.