Hidden Lung Cancer Risks
Lung Cancer Risk for Nonsmokers: Radon, Secondhand Smoke Are Hidden Causes
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Lung cancer is not just a smoker's disease. About 10% of the roughly 250,000 new lung cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States occur in people who have never smoked, according to WFSB. Dr. Otis Rickman, an interventional pulmonologist in Nashville, Tennessee, says the majority of lung cancer cases he sees each year involve nonsmokers.
While smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, hidden dangers in everyday environments put nonsmokers at serious risk too. Knowing those risks — and how to reduce them — could save lives.
Radon Gas Lurks Silently in Many Homes
One of the biggest hidden threats is radon, a radioactive gas. Radon forms from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It seeps up from the ground and can build up inside homes, especially in basements. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, according to WEAU.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States overall. The good news is that home radon test kits are widely available and inexpensive. If levels are too high, fixes like better ventilation can bring them down. Dr. Rickman urges homeowners to test their homes, according to WBTV.
Secondhand Smoke Still a Serious Lung Threat
Secondhand smoke is another major risk factor for nonsmokers. Breathing in someone else's cigarette smoke exposes you to many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as smoking directly. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, according to Fox10TV.
People who live with smokers or work in smoke-filled environments face a meaningfully higher risk of developing lung cancer over time. Dr. Rickman recommends avoiding indoor spaces where smoking is allowed and encouraging household members who smoke to quit, according to WITN.
Family History Can Raise Your Personal Risk
Genetics also play a role in lung cancer risk. If a close family member — like a parent or sibling — has had lung cancer, your own risk goes up. This is true even if you have never smoked and have no exposure to known environmental hazards, according to WKYT.
Dr. Rickman says people with a family history of lung cancer should talk to their doctor about screening options. Early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Low-dose CT scans can catch tumors before symptoms appear, according to Cleveland 19.
What Nonsmokers Can Do to Lower Their Risk
The key steps are practical. Test your home for radon. Avoid secondhand smoke. Tell your doctor if lung cancer runs in your family. These actions can meaningfully cut your risk, according to WNDU.
Workplace exposures also matter. Jobs involving asbestos, diesel exhaust, or certain chemicals can raise lung cancer risk for nonsmokers. Dr. Rickman stresses that lung cancer is "not just a smoker's disease," and that anyone with unexplained cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath should see a doctor promptly, according to KWCH.
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