Lung cancer in non smokers can be attributed to a variety of harmful materials and chemicals such as asbestos and radon.

Potential Causes of Lung Cancer in Non Smokers

Although smoking is the most prominent risk factor for lung cancer, the disease does occur in non smokers. Potential causes of lung cancer in non smokers include asbestos exposure, secondhand smoke, and radon, although more risk factors can contribute to the deadly disease.

Secondhand smoke, like smoking, causes cancer due to the chemicals associated with tobacco products. The same chemicals in cancerous smoke are also inhaled by individuals exposed to secondhand smoke.

Radon gas is a colorless, odorless gas that forms when radioactive elements break down. People may become exposed to radon gas while indoors in their homes, offices, and schools. The chemical can also be found in drinking water from underground sources.

Among lung cancer causes is also exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that was formerly used in construction and industrial applications.

Smoker Lung Cancer vs. Non-Smoker Lung Cancer

According to Yale Medicine, there are many differences between the lung cancer typically experienced by smokers and the lung cancer often seen in non smokers. 

Smokers reportedly most often develop a type of non-small cell lung cancer called squamous cell lung cancer. This type of cancer forms in the bronchi – the main airways of the lungs.

In contrast, non-smokers are reportedly diagnosed more frequently with another type of non-small cell lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. This form of lung cancer starts in the bronchioles of the lung – the outer, small airways of the lungs.

Yale Medicine thoracic surgeon Dr. Daniel Boffa visualizes these cancers by thinking of the lungs as bags of white marbles. For smokers, cancer is like putting a black marble amongst the white marbles. For lung cancer in non smokers, Dr. Boffa says cancer is more like pouring black sand into the lung.

“Instead of a spot or a lump, it’s more like a hazy area,” Dr. Boffa explains. “It’s more diffuse.”

Unfortunately, non-smokers reportedly do not show early signs of lung cancer in most cases. This can make the condition more difficult to diagnose and treat proactively. If non smokers do develop early warning symptoms of lung cancer, these symptoms may include those experienced by smokers such as:

• Persistent coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness 
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Trouble swallowing
• Chronic lung infections
• And more.

Luckily, lung cancer in non smokers is often caused by a molecular change, genetics, or mutations, according to Yale Medicine. As a result, specialized treatments are reportedly available. Unfortunately, this doesn’t change the tragic experience of asbestos-related lung cancer.

Why Is Lung Cancer in Non Smokers So Common?

According to lung cancer facts from the American Cancer Society, 20 percent of lung cancer deaths each year occur in non smokers. Genetic mutations play a part in some cases, as can lifestyle choices, but external causes are primary.

In many countries, lung cancer risk increases due to pollution and from breathing in harmful chemicals in the air. Exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos in the home and workplace can increase the risk of lung cancer in non smokers. Unfortunately, it is hard to control these factors since people may not even be aware that they are being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos may be found in old homes and buildings, as the material was widely valued for its resistance to heat, chemicals, and electricity. As a result, asbestos was added to construction, automotive, and textile materials.

Although the chemical is now heavily regulated due to its carcinogenic effects, many older cars and homes may contribute to asbestos exposure. For example, car brakes on older vehicles could contain asbestos. Similarly, the insulation, tiles, shingles, siding, and pipe materials used for construction could all contain asbestos in an older home.

Unfortunately, people may not know that they are being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are released into the air when asbestos-containing materials are moved, cut, or otherwise disturbed. These fibers are invisible and undetectable but can be inhaled or swallowed when released into the air. Industrial and naval workers may also bring it home on clothing.

After asbestos fibers make their way into the lungs, it is thought that the body is unable to expel them. The fibers stay within the lungs for years, causing inflammation which may contribute to the development of respiratory diseases like asbestosis, or more severe ailments, like lung cancer or mesothelioma. In cases of lung cancers from asbestos, it may take decades to materialize.

Symptoms of asbestos exposure in general include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough or wheezing
• Crackling sound while breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Respiratory complications
• Accumulation of fluid around a lung (pleural effusion)
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening
• Asbestosis

Exposure risks for asbestos primarily include occupations in construction, electricity, firefighting, the military, mining, and shipbuilding. People can also suffer second-hand exposure if a family member brings back asbestos fibers on their clothing that can have just as serious complications.

Lung cancer early symptoms may include a continuous or worsening cough, chest pain with deep breathing, and loss of appetite.

Lung Cancer Versus Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, asbestos can cause damage to the lungs other than in lung cancer. People exposed to asbestos can develop another form of cancer, mesothelioma, which affects the lining of internal organs. When it results from asbestos exposure, it can appear in the lining of the lungs. Like other kinds of cancer, mesothelioma cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and can form in internal organs, which may include the lungs, explains the American Cancer Society.

While lung cancer and mesothelioma are different kinds of cancer, determining the difference between the two in diagnosis can be challenging. Reportedly, both kinds of cancer sometimes present with pleural effusion — fluid buildup in the chest cavity. However, mesothelioma cases are sometimes accompanied by pleural thickening. In contrast, this pleural thickening usually is not present in lung cancer cases, which can be a clarifying difference during a diagnosis.

Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in the United States, with around 222,500 new cases developing each year, with around 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths connected to tobacco use, and only 10 percent cases of lung cancer in non smokers. However, mesothelioma is much rarer and is more closely linked with asbestos exposure than lung cancer. Around 2,800 cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed yearly.

Both forms of cancer can take a long time to develop when they are connected with asbestos exposure. Reportedly, asbestos lung cancer may not appear for 15 to 35 years. Mesothelioma takes even longer to develop on average. Reportedly, it can take between 20 and 50 years to develop.

How To Lower the Risk

The American Cancer Society notes that no level of asbestos exposure is safe. However, the risk of lung cancer increases with the amount of exposure to asbestos. People looking to decrease their risk of lung cancer may want to limit their exposure to asbestos.

Additionally, scientists note that lung cancer causes like asbestos exposure and smoking can stack up. For example, someone who smokes but isn’t exposed to asbestos has a lower risk of developing lung cancer from smoking than someone who both smokes and is exposed to asbestos.

Filing an Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit

A growing number of patients and their families are coming forward with allegations that theirs or their loved one’s lung cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos.

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with lung cancer after exposure to asbestos, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden too often incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.