Lung Cancer Archives - The Lotus Biotech: Indian Pharmaceutical Exporter and Supplier

You’ve heard of cancer, one of the world’s most feared diseases. There are many types. While breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed, lung cancer claims the most lives.

We know lungs help us breathe, right? They bring oxygen into the body, a vital substance every cell needs to survive. Without oxygen, cells can’t produce energy, and our vital organs can quickly shut down. But do lungs stop there? No, they also remove carbon dioxide, a waste gas produced during energy generation. When we exhale, the lungs expel this gas, helping maintain a healthy balance of gases in our blood and preventing dangerous acidity.

But do our lungs stay healthy forever, or are they affected over time? Like any body part, lungs are prone to disease. Among the many lung conditions, lung cancer is considered one of the most frightening.

Now, what comes to mind when someone mentions lung cancer? Most people think of smoking as it is strongly linked to the disease. But is that always the case? The short answer is no. In this article, you’ll learn about lung cancer in non-smokers and how it’s impacting more people, especially women.

Rising Cases of Lung Cancer Among Non-Smokers

Before we go any further, let’s first understand who counts as a “non-smoker.” According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a non-smoker is someone who has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their entire lifetime.

Did you know that a large number of people who get lung cancer have never smoked?

A 2020 article highlighted that globally, about 15–20% of men with lung cancer are non-smokers. But here’s what’s surprising: Over 50% of women with lung cancer have never smoked. That’s a big number! In Asia, the stats are even higher, around 60 to 80% of women with lung cancer are non-smokers. In the U.S., a study showed that 19% of women with lung cancer didn’t smoke, compared to just 9% of men. So clearly, lung cancer in non-smokers is seen more often in women.

So why do non-smokers get lung cancer? Let’s explore some of the possible causes.

What Causes Lung Cancer In Non-Smokers

So, how do people who’ve never smoked still get lung cancer? There’s no one reason. But a few common causes have been found. These include:

Radon gas (the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.)
Secondhand smoke
Air pollution
Harmful chemicals like asbestos or diesel exhaust

Long-term exposure to these can increase risk, even without smoking. Sometimes, lung cancer shows up in people who have no clear risk at all. Why? It could be due to random changes in the body. Or maybe causes we haven’t discovered yet.

Lung cancer in non-smokers is also different from the kind found in smokers. It often shows up in younger people. It may also involve different gene changes, some of which can help guide treatment.

Why Is Lung Cancer More Common in Women and in Asia?

It’s surprising but true: lung cancer in non-smokers is more common in women, and the rates are even higher in Asia. Remember, over half of the women with lung cancer have never smoked.

So, why is this happening? One possible answer lies in the kitchen.

According to a 2022 Gallup poll, women cook more meals than men in most countries (with Italy being an exception). But what does cooking have to do with lung health?

Cooking, especially frying or using open flames, releases harmful fumes from hot oil or burning wood, as well as when using biomass fuels or lacking proper exhaust systems. These fumes can damage the lungs over time. In many cultures, women spend hours cooking daily, often in poorly ventilated spaces.

This shows lung cancer can develop without smoking. Sometimes, everyday activities like cooking can play a role.

Biological Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in Women

This section explains the biological risk factors that may lead to the start of lung cancer.

1. Genetic Mutations:

It has been found that some women, especially non-smokers, develop lung cancer due to faulty genes, not smoking. One key gene is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which codes for a protein that helps your cells grow. When mutated, it causes cells to grow out of control.
Found in 50% of non-smoking Asian women with lung cancer. Other gene changes like ALK, ROS1, and TP53 also play a role, and are more common in non-smoking women.

2. Hormonal Factors:

You might be surprised to know that estrogen, the main female hormone, is found in lung tissue and can actually help cancer cells grow. Changes in hormone levels, especially during menopause or with hormone therapy, may affect cancer risk.
Some studies suggest hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) might lower lung cancer risk in some women, but more research is needed.

3. Weakened DNA Repair:

Our bodies are designed to repair damaged DNA, but in some women, this repair system doesn’t function as well. That means damaged cells can build up over time, raising the chances of lung cancer, even without ever smoking.

4. Chronic Inflammation & Immune System:

Women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases that can lead to long-term lung inflammation. This constant irritation can damage cells over time and raise the risk of lung cancer.

5. Environmental Exposures with Biological Effects:

Even if someone has never touched a cigarette, their lungs aren’t entirely safe. Every day, indoor air pollution, like fumes from cooking, can slowly damage lung cells. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to fine particles (like PM2.5) may trigger harmful genetic mutations, such as EGFR, especially in women who spend more time cooking indoors.

Here, it is essential to emphasize that the mechanism by which air pollution causes cancer remains unclear, partly because air pollution is a complex phenomenon and people are exposed to it in various ways.

Same Symptoms, Same Warning Signs

Many ask about the signs of lung cancer in women or non-smokers. The fact is, whether a person smokes or not, lung cancer symptoms remain the same. It is important to know that early-stage lung cancer may be asymptomatic.

Therefore, it’s crucial to recognize the following symptoms as early as possible. Watch out for:

If anyone notices any of these, don’t ignore them; see a doctor promptly.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk?

While you can’t control everything, there are a few steps that can help reduce your risk of lung cancer:

Avoid secondhand smoke: Smoke from others’ cigarettes, cigars, or pipes can still harm your lungs. Make your home and car smoke-free zones.
Test for radon: Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can build up indoors. Get your home tested and take action if levels are high.
Stay safe at work: Follow health guidelines if you’re around carcinogens like asbestos, diesel exhaust, or industrial chemicals.

There’s Hope, Effective Treatments Exist

Yes, you have read that right! Treatments for lung cancer in non-smokers have come a long way. Scientists have developed targeted therapies that focus on specific genetic mutations found in some patients.

One of the most promising options is a group of drugs called EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and osimertinib.

These drugs have shown better response rates and improved survival, especially in non-smokers.

Bringing It All Together

In the end, lung cancer in never smokers, especially women, is a silent but serious threat that deserves more attention. Even if someone has never smoked, it’s important to be aware of the risks, symptoms, and ways to protect oneself. Remember, early detection can save lives, and advances in treatment are bringing new hope every day.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take charge of your lung health. Your Lungs deserve it!

Disclaimer: This blog/content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Purchase medications only from reputable sources to ensure safety and authenticity.

“Cancer opens many doors. One of the most important is your heart.”

These words by Greg Anderson remind us that while disease can shake us to the core, it also strengthens our will to face the storm. Cancer, a word that many fear, and understandably so. It can enter quietly but leaves a loud, lasting impact, not just on those diagnosed, but their loved ones too.

Many of us have heard of cancer, seen people around us go through it, or maybe even faced it. And while it can feel like the end of the road, it is also true that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. With rising awareness in the world of health and wellness, you will hear more people, on podcasts, blogs, or social media, talking about how certain habits or exposures may lead to cancer. But the one thing often missing is clarity.

In this blog, we’ve aimed to explore:

What exactly is cancer?
What happens in the body when it develops?
And when it comes to specific types like lung cancer, is it treatable?

What Is Cancer? When Cells Grow Without a Pause

Remember learning in school that the cell is the basic unit of life? That same cell builds tissues, and those tissues form the organs that keep us going. Normally, old or damaged cells die, and new ones take their place, like a smooth-running machine.

But what happens when this process is hindered?

That is when cancer can show up. Cancer occurs when some of these cells don’t stop growing, even when they are damaged. Instead of dying, they continue to multiply and can form lumps called tumors. Some tumors remain in one place (benign), but others spread to nearby areas or even travel to other parts of the body (this is called metastasis).

The root of this often lies in our genes, tiny instructions inside our cells. These changes can happen as we age or due to exposure to things like tobacco smoke or too much sun. Typically, the body clears out faulty cells, but as we get older, this system weakens.

Cancer can affect many parts of the body, even the blood. But when it comes to the most commonly impacted areas, the lungs are right at the top. In fact, lung-related cancers, including those in the windpipe (trachea) and airways (bronchus), are among the most common types worldwide.

With this understanding, let’s look closer at lung cancer, one of the most common and serious types.

How Common Is Lung Cancer?

According to the World Health Organization’s 2022 data, there were around 2.48 million new cases of lung cancer worldwide. When looking at gender, an estimated 1.57 million of these cases were among men, which makes up about 63.4% of the global lung cancer burden. Among women, the number was estimated at around 908,000 cases, which is 36.6% of the total.

In the United States alone, the American Cancer Society has shared its estimates for 2025, predicting about 226,650 new cases of lung cancer. Of these, around 110,680 are expected in men and 115,970 in women.

So, what is lung cancer exactly?

It happens when abnormal cells in the lungs start growing out of control. This can harm how your lungs work and, if not treated, can become very serious.

Some common signs of lung cancer are a cough that doesn’t go away, chest pain and trouble breathing. One might also feel unusually tired, lose weight without a clear reason, or frequently develop lung infections. Sometimes, coughing up blood (called haemoptysis) can also be a symptom.

If anyone notices any of these signs, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible for a check-up. An early intervention by a doctor can be helpful for the treatment.
But here the question comes to everyone’s mind: can lung cancer be cured? Let’s understand this in detail.

Is Lung Cancer Curable?

Yes, lung cancer can be curable, especially when it is detected and treated at an early stage before it has spread beyond the lungs. We’re fortunate to live in a time when advanced medical care is available for both minor and serious conditions like lung cancer.

There are several treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. But before going further, one should also know that lung cancer is of two main types and is classified in different stages.

Types and Stages of Lung Cancer

There are commonly two types of Lung Cancer:
1. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
2. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Each type is staged differently to help guide treatment.

Stages of Lung Cancer

Understanding the type and stage is crucial for understanding the treatment approach. Among the available treatment options, targeted therapy is gaining attention for its personalized approach.

What Is Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer?

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that focuses on specific genes, proteins, or other factors that enable cancer cells to grow and spread. It is often used for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in advanced stages.

Doctors first test an individual’s cancer to see if it has any of these specific mutations. If it does, targeted therapy may be more effective and have fewer side effects than chemotherapy.

Here’s How Targeted Therapy Differs from Traditional Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy, which attacks all fast-growing cells throughout the body and kills both cancer and healthy fast-growing cells (like hair or gut cells), which can cause strong side effects.

On the other hand, Targeted Therapy is:

Much more precise in its approach.
Specifically targets cancer cells with certain mutations or changes.
Spares most healthy cells, which usually means fewer side effects.

How Does It Work?

Targeted therapy works in different ways depending on the mutation. Here are the main types:

A. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)

These are pills that block signals telling cancer cells to grow and divide.
Used for mutations like EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET, RET, BRAF, HER2, and KRAS.

Example: Erlotinib, Gefitinib

B. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

These use the immune system to attach a drug directly to the cancer cell. Once attached, the drug releases chemotherapy straight into the cancer cell. Usually given intravenously (IV), which means the medicine is given directly into a vein.

Example: Trastuzumab deruxtecan

Note: ADCs are an evolving area in lung cancer, with more options in clinical trials.

C. Angiogenesis Inhibitors

These stop cancer cells from growing new blood vessels, cutting off their food supply. Often made from lab-created immune proteins called monoclonal antibodies.

Example: Bevacizumab and Ramucirumab.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lung cancer can feel overwhelming, but there’s hope and ways to fight back with the right help. By staying informed about symptoms and treatment options, you and your loved ones can take meaningful steps in the fight against this disease. If you or someone you care about is at risk, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor about lung cancer screening and whether targeted therapy could be right for you. Early detection truly saves lives, so never ignore warning signs.

Remember: No one is alone on this journey; support and help are always available.

Disclaimer: This blog/content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Purchase medications only from reputable sources to ensure safety and authenticity.

Most Selling

Order

Product Categories

QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer among Never Smokers – The Silent Threat to Women’s Lungs