Why is Lung Cancer on the Rise in Nonsmokers – Especially Women?

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Lung cancer is often thought of as a disease that primarily affects smokers, but that’s changing, and it’s time we take notice. More and more young women who have never smoked are being diagnosed with lung cancer, and it’s raising some important questions. This shift seems to be influenced by a mix of factors, which challenges what we traditionally believed about lung cancer. Female nonsmokers are more than twice as likely to develop lung cancer than male nonsmokers. Lung cancer in patients who have never smoked — an emerging disease - PMC

By exploring the causes behind this trend, we can find ways to address this growing health issue.

Intriguing research points to certain everyday exposures that may play a surprising role in increasing lung cancer risk, especially among women in specific regions. These findings underscore the critical need for heightened awareness and proactive measures.

RISING INCIDENCE IN YOUNG WOMEN

THE STATISTICS: Lung cancer diagnoses have been trending upwards among young women under 55, particularly those who have never smoked. Studies show that women aged 30 to 49 in high-income countries are being diagnosed at higher rates than men of the same age group. In the U.S. The incidence is notably higher among women aged 35 to 54 than men.

https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/study-young-women-now-have-higher-rate-for-lung-cancer-than-men-worldwide.html

https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20231012/lung-cancer-incidence-steadily-increasing-among-young-middleaged-us-women

POSSIBLE CAUSES:

● Radon Exposure: Radon is an invisible natural gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil. It is colorless and odorless, and while it poses no harm outdoors, it is dangerous if levels are high indoors. Radon typically seeps into homes through cracks or holes in the foundation. It can also sometimes enter homes through well water. It is estimated that 1 out of every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. Protect health with radon testing - Mayo Clinic Health System

● Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Inhalation of tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke from others poses a significant risk.

● Air Pollution: Exposure to toxic gases and emissions from factories, indoor cooking, candles, and vehicles.

● Genetic Predispositions: Family history and genetic factors are possible but uncommon.

● Chronic Lung Disorders: Conditions like asthma and COPD may contribute to risk.

● Demographic Factors: Non-white race and taller stature have been statistically linked to higher risk

https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2022/04/lung-cancer-never-smokers?t&utm

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/lung-cancer-never-smokers?t&utm

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8898572/?t&utm

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-39440-8?t&utm

EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FURTHER

Despite female smoking rates remaining consistently low, lung cancer cases are surging in this group, indicating that factors beyond tobacco use, such as environmental influences, might be contributing to the growing incidence of lung cancer among women.

While lung cancer rates have risen for all female nonsmokers, the rates in China seem to be exponentially higher. The incidence of female lung cancer in China is approximately 1.5 times higher than the global average for women. Researchers are uncovering complex risk factors beyond traditional tobacco use, including:

Indoor Air Pollution and Lung Cancer Risk

● Domestic cooking fumes: Exposure to heterocyclic amines from high heat frying/grilling Mutagens from heated Chinese and U.S. cooking oils - PubMed

● Indoor air pollution: Household coal heating and cooking practices

● Environmental exposure: High ambient air pollution levels, with an estimated 18% of female lung cancer deaths potentially linked to PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) exposure. Fumes from meat cooking and lung cancer risk in Chinese women

● Secondhand Smoke: Long-term exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a significant risk factor for lung cancer in nonsmoking women, increasing the prevalence of respiratory symptoms.

● Cooking Oil Fumes: Exposure to fumes from cooking oils, particularly without proper ventilation, significantly raises lung cancer risk among non-smoking women due to the inhalation of carcinogens produced during cooking.

● Candle and Incense Use: Burning candles and incense releases particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, contributing to indoor air pollution and potentially elevating lung cancer risk. The unknown risks of scented candles! what science has to say: an editorial - PMC

● Aerosolized cosmetics and cleaning products: Some research has linked aerosolized hair products like dry shampoo to lung cancer risks because they contain benzene, a known carcinogen. Many Common Beauty Products Contain Dangerous Chemicals | University Hospital. Cleaning products have also been possible risks. Cleaning Products May Harm Female Workers’ Lungs as Much as Smoking a Pack a Day |

Environmental Working Group

Is Covid or the Covid vaccine increasing risk?

Many of the studies showing the risk of lung cancer due to the SARS Cov 2 virus or the vaccine were ongoing before the pandemic. Still, there are hypotheses that the damage caused by inflammation in certain individuals with severe infections and certain components such as SV40 present in vaccines can increase their risk of developing cancer, but further studies are needed to confirm this link. SARS-CoV-2 and probable lung cancer risk

PMC Florida State Surgeon General Calls for Halt in the Use of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

What Can you do?

1- Spend more time outdoors in fresh air. Spending at least 30-60 minutes outdoors is ideal. Being outdoors in greenery also allows us to inhale natural substances released by trees called phytoncides, which have anti-cancer properties by increasing natural killer cell production in our body.

2- When indoors, open windows often, especially when cooking. It is also important to be mindful of what you cook with. Indoor cooking with coal or certain oils that are burned beyond their smoke point can pose a risk of inhalation of toxic fumes.

3- Avoid burning candles on a regular basis. Certain candles are worse than others. Occasional use is probably safe, but the regular inhalation of these fumes can pose an increased risk. Essential oils might be a safer option.

4- Get a Radon detector and check the levels in your home. States with the highest indoor radon levels are Pennsylvania, Alaska, Ohio, New Jersey and Washington.

LOOKING AHEAD

Public Health Implications: It’s clear that lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease, especially for young women who are non-smokers. The rise in cases linked to environmental exposures like indoor air pollution and cultural practices calls for greater public awareness.

This article is for informational use only. Please talk to your doctor about any medical problems or risks you have or are concerned with.

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