As physicians' have not kept good records on how many non-smokers they have treated for lung cancer (assuming all lung cancers were due to smoking); they now anecdotally notice that lung cancers may be on the increase in people who have never smoked.
Never smoked is defined as smoking less than 100 cigarettes in a lifetime per the American Cancer Society.
Thanks to Dana Reeve who was a non-smoker and died at the age of 44 years old from lung cancer; national attention is now spot lighting this area of health concern.
Researchers have come up with several possible reasons as to why those who do not smoke have lung cancer.
Cell mutations are one reason. The good news here, if it is possible to have any good news if you are diagnosed with lung cancer, is that mutated cells seem to respond better to chemotherapy.
Hormonal reasons are also a possibility. Researchers have found more estrogen receptors in women's lungs who have cancer, than in other women.
The same virus responsible for cervical cancer, HPV, may also have some linkages with lung cancer.
Radon might be another cause for lung cancers in both smokers and non-smokers according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Finally, air pollution, especially air pollution caused by second hand smoke may cause an increase in one's risk for lung cancer.
The sad news for any patient with lung cancer, whether a smoker or non-smoker, is that the 5 year survival rate has not changed in the last 30 years.
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