Why Non-smokers Sometimes Get Lung Cancer

By Stacy Simon As many as 20% of the people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco. This translates to about 16,000 to 24,000 Americans every year. In fact, if lung cancer in non-smokers had its own separate category, it would rank among the top 10 fatal cancers in the United States. It’s still true that staying away from tobacco is the most important thing any of us can do to lower our risk of getting lung cancer. But there are also other risk factors. Researchers have made a lot of progress over the past decade in understanding what causes lung cancer in non-smokers: Radon gas. The leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers is exposure to radon gas, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It accounts for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. Radon occurs naturally outdoors in harmless amounts, but sometimes becomes concentrated in homes built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Studies have found that the risk of lung cancer is higher in those who have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house. Because radon gas can’t be seen or smelled, the only way to know whether it’s a problem in your home is to test for it. A Citizen’s Guide to Radon, produced by the EPA, explains how to test your home for radon easily and inexpensively, as well as what to do if your levels are too high. Secondhand smoke. Each year, an estimated 7,330 adults die of lung...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell Prevention/Early Detection Source Type: news