Usually, the body’s cells go through a life cycle and die. Then new cells are formed. In cancer, this orderly process of cell formation and cell death breaks down. Abnormal or damaged cells start growing without any control. After some time, they develop the ability to move and invade other sites in the body. Cancerous cells can then harm other parts of the body too. In lung cancer, cancer begins in the lungs.
Lung cancer is the leading contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide. It has high death rates for people of all genders. The most prominent cause of lung cancer is smoking. It contributes to almost 85% of cases of lung cancer. In India, 5.9% of cancers are lung cancers, and they cause 8.1% of cancer deaths. Again, smoking causes 80% of the cases. Here, we discuss what are the symptoms and causes of lung cancer in non-smokers.
What are lung cancer symptoms in non-smoking females?
There is no difference in the symptoms of a non-smoker or smoker lung cancer patient. People of all genders also show the same symptoms. Patients may have general symptoms of tiredness all the time. They may cough all the time and sometimes cough up blood. They may even suffer from chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and shortness of breath.
How does family history contribute to lung cancer causes in non-smokers?
If there are people in your family who have had lung cancer, your chances of developing lung cancer increase. This may be because the family lives together in environmental conditions that are risky for lung cancer.
You may have the risk of developing lung cancer due to hereditary. Mutations in many genes have a link to lung cancer. If your closest relatives, like parents or siblings, have lung cancer, then your chances of developing lung cancer increase by 50%.
The type of lung cancer in non-smokers is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially adenocarcinoma. This cancer’s most important DNA mutation is in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Another lung cancer common in non-smokers is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In SCC, there is a mutation in the gene GAB2, which transfers signals between cells.
Which environmental factors can cause lung cancer in non-smokers?
After smoking, exposure to the radioactive gas radon is the biggest challenge to causing lung cancer. It forms by the degradation of uranium, thorium, and radium in the ground. Thereafter, it can seep from the soil into buildings. Norway sees a higher number of lung cancer cases from radon exposure.
There is another cancer-causing agent in the environment, which is asbestos. Exposure to asbestos causes changes in the unique methylation patterns of the DNA. These changed patterns can lead to lung cancer.
Not smoking does not relieve you from the danger of lung cancer. Studies show that 15-35% of lung cancer cases among non-smokers are due to exposure to passive smoking. Moreover, studies show that women whose spouses smoke are at a high risk of developing lung cancer.
In developing countries like ours, women still burn wood for cooking. They even use cow dung as fuel for cooking. Fumes from these open flames can contribute to lung cancer.
Additionally, air pollution can also be a cause of lung cancer. Tiny polluting particles that build up in the lungs can damage DNA inside the cells. These cells do not follow the regular pattern of dividing and cell death. Instead, they begin dividing uncontrollably.
Which underlying conditions can cause lung cancer in non-smokers?
Oestrogen receptors are present on the surface of lung cancer cells in people of all genders. Oestrogen causes proliferation and migration and prevents cell death of cancerous cells. This hormone may cause cancer by damaging the cell’s DNA. Scientists have also observed mutations in oestrogen metabolism in lung cancer patients. Moreover, a pre-existing lung disease, like asthma, among non-smokers may be a risk factor for developing lung cancer. The lung disease may already be present or develop due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
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