Can Anything Other Than Smoking Cause Lung Cancer?

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There are no two arguments about the fact that smoking is the biggest and undisputed risk factor for lung cancer. People who smoke cigarette at present or have been smokers at some point in their lives are at a risk of developing lung cancer.

But not all patients diagnosed with lung cancer are necessarily smokers. Some of them have actually never touched a single cigarette in their entire lives. Which means there are risk factors other than smoking, which can cause lung cancer amongst non-smokers. Researchers have identified several conditions and circumstances that increase a non-smoker’s chance of developing lung cancer. We will discuss each one of these factors one by one.

Second hand smoke or passive smoking is the biggest cause after smoking, which can cause lung cancer. Inhaling tobacco smoke from people who are smoking in the close vicinity is about passive smoking. Second hand smoke is a mixture of tobacco and the chemicals from burning end of the cigarette. There are some 4000 chemicals involved and most of them are dangerous to the extent that they can cause cancer with continuous exposure.

This happens when smokers and non-smokers are sharing living or working rooms. Non-smokers who live with smokers have a 22% to 24% increased risk for developing lung cancer as compared to non-smokers who are not exposed to passive smoking in any form. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur in the U.S. alone every year that can be attributable to secondhand smoking.

Radon gas is another potential risk that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas is a naturally occurring gas that is made when Uranium decays. It is estimated that around 12% of total lung cancer deaths in both smokers and non-smokers are because of exposure to radon gas. People who are smokers and are also exposed to radon gas in the environment have an even greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers who are exposed to radon gas. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings.

Asbestos is another factor that can cause lung cancer besides the already well-known mesothelioma. Asbestos used to be widely used as thermal and acoustic insulation material. But they use of asbestos has been banned ever since it has been found to cause cancer. Asbestos fibers can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. Both the cancers (lung and mesothelioma) are associated with exposure to asbestos. And cigarette smoking on the top of this exposure is a very dangerous combination. It increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer. People who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos have a five fold greater risk of developing lung cancer than other non-smokers.

Air pollution is another major risk factor of lung cancer besides, smoking, radon and asbestos. Air pollution can occur from exposure to vehicles smoke, industry smoke and dust, and power plants. These can raise the risk of developing lung cancer in individuals who are exposed to it. Need less to mention that when people smoke along with coming in contact with one of the above factors are more at a risk than their non-smoking counterparts.

But it is also true that all the smokers do not eventually develop lung cancer. Other factors, like individual genetic susceptibility, may also play a role in the one becoming a victim of lung cancer. There have been many studies that have also reported that lung cancer is more likely to occur in both smoking and non-smoking relatives of those who have had a family history of lung.