Just about everyone knows smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. However, it may come as a surprise that non-smokers are also at risk of developing the disease. Although the number of non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer is much lower compared to smokers, it's important to consider your risk. Think about your personal experiences and whether you have any of the following:
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can seep into buildings, including homes, schools, and workplaces. Inhaling radon over a long period can lead to lung cancer. Radon is both odorless and colorless. You can test your home for radon and install a radon mitigation system if high levels are detected.
While high radon levels are less common closer to the ocean in Virginia, it's still possible to encounter them in these areas. Find out more about radon test kits available for Virginia residents.
Breathing or ingesting known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), such as asbestos and benzene, increases the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to these chemicals for long periods can cause a build-up of these agents inside your lungs, resulting in cell mutation and cancer development. Remnants of these chemicals can stay in your system for some time after exposure, so do your best to avoid contact with these harmful substances. Talk to your doctor if you know you were exposed at work or home to see if there are screening options available for you.
Your DNA can be damaged from long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution, triggering lung cancer and promoting tumor growth. The risk of developing lung cancer rises with prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollution. It's essential to take steps to minimize exposure.
The Hampton Roads and Eastern North Carolina regions usually have good to moderate air quality. However, some jobs require employees to spend time exposed to air pollutants that could lead to health issues. Be sure to wear proper protective gear to keep the air you breathe clean.
If you notice unusual breathing or coughing patterns, share your past living and working conditions with your doctor to determine if these symptoms could be related to lung cancer or another lung condition caused by exposure to air pollutants.
Increased exposure to secondhand smoke puts you at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. If you live with a smoker, ask them to smoke outside or consider quitting. When visiting friends and family who smoke, try to spend time outside to minimize exposure to smoke.
Cigarette chemicals leave a lingering residue on clothes, bedding, upholstery, and other indoor surfaces. Breathing in this residue over a long period can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, even if you do not smoke.
Your family’s history of lung cancer may play a role in whether you develop lung cancer. Specific hereditary gene mutations can increase the risk of developing certain cancers. If a family member was diagnosed with lung cancer, you should ask them if their biomarker tests showed any gene mutations. There is evidence of mutations to the following genes leading to lung cancer, including CHEK2, ATM, TP53, BRCA1, EGFR, APC, and PALB2.
If these genetic mutations are found in your family, it’s even more important to lower your exposure to lung cancer-causing risk factors, especially your exposure to smoke.
In the past decade, lung cancer screening has become more easily accessible. This has helped detect and diagnose lung cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is a little more straightforward. However, screening for lung cancer is usually only offered to those with a history of smoking. If you believe you're at high risk of lung cancer based on exposure to one or more of the risk factors described above, talk to your doctor to see if you should be screened. The screening process involves a low-dose chest CT scan to look for any areas of concern in the lungs. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend one of the many other diagnostic tools available.
Related reading: Raising Awareness of Lung Cancer Screening Tools
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you won't develop lung cancer. However, you can take proactive steps to help reduce your risk. Consider making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring your home for radon, and reducing your exposure to secondhand smoke and other cancer-causing chemicals.
Coughing and shortness of breath are often overlooked as signs of lung cancer, especially in people who don’t smoke. However, these two common symptoms of lung cancer are usually caused by a lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis, in which scar tissue forms on and around your lungs.
If no other symptoms, such as fever or congestion, accompany the coughing and difficulty breathing, there’s a chance it’s something other than a virus. In this case, you should schedule an appointment with a lung specialist, called a pulmonologist, to evaluate your condition and identify the cause of your symptoms.
Common tests doctors perform when symptoms last more than a few weeks include a CT scan, chest X-ray, and lab tests. These tests determine whether any area of the lung needs a biopsy or if another condition is causing the symptoms.
Our lung cancer doctors use the most up-to-date methods to treat lung cancer. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with lung cancer, the Virginia Oncology Associates team of specialists is ready to help. Our cancer centers are located throughout Virginia and Eastern North Carolina, including Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk (Obici and Harbour View), Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Elizabeth City, NC.