Scientists Pay Attention To The Increase In The Incidence Of Lung Cancer Among Non-smokers

Scientists pay attention to the increase in the incidence of lung cancer among non-smokers

One in six deaths from lung cancer are among “never smokers” - those who have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. Lung cancer in people who have never smoked is poorly understood and poses a diagnostic challenge, especially for general practitioners, according to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

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One in six deaths from lung cancer are among “never smokers” - those who have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. Lung cancer in people who have never smoked is poorly understood and poses a diagnostic challenge, especially for general practitioners, according to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

“If we consider lung cancer as a separate unit, it is … the seventh most common cancer in the world. As smoking rates decline, the relative proportion of lung cancer cases among those who have never smoked increases. In addition, the absolute numbers and rates of lung cancer in people who have never smoked are increasing,”the researchers said.

Patients are often misdiagnosed, especially by general practitioners, that the symptoms of lung cancer are mistaken for something else (such as muscle pain) because of the similarity to symptoms of other diseases. This means that the correct diagnosis often occurs at the third or fourth stage, when it is possible only to prolong life, but not to cure it.

The main causes of lung cancer in those who have never smoked are secondhand smoke (15 percent of cases), occupational exposure to carcinogens (20.5 percent of men and 4.3% of women), and environmental pollution (8 percent) … In particular, wood and coal stoves used in the room pose a serious danger, polluting the air when burning wood and coal. Only the latest stoves, dry wood and good ventilation are relatively safe.

Worldwide, secondhand smoke and indoor use of solid fuels for cooking are significant risk factors for lung cancer in non-smokers, especially women.

“For too long, lung cancer has been considered a smoking-related disease. It remains an important association, but as this work shows, the scale of the problem means there is a need to raise awareness among doctors and policy makers about other risk factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution,”said lead author Professor Paul Cosford., Director of Public Health and Medical Leadership, Public Health England.

“The stigma of smoking has been a major factor in the lack of interest, knowledge and research in lung cancer. Despite advancing our understanding, most people who have never smoked do not believe they are at risk and often experience long delays in diagnosis, diminishing their chances of receiving a definitive treatment,”said co-author Professor Mick Peake. Clinical Director, Center for Cancer Research, University College London Hospitals.