Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but the truth is that there are many cases where the patient has never smoked cigarettes. It is very important to understand why this disease is increasing in children and non-smokers. According to medical journals, about 25 percent of lung cancer patients have never smoked. There are many reasons behind lung cancer in children which often go unnoticed. Let us understand how even non-smokers can get lung cancer.
passive smoking
Even if children do not smoke, they are at risk of passive smoking if they live around smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in public can cause serious damage to the lungs. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that it increases the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers by 20 to 30 percent.
increasing air pollution
Air pollution has become a major threat to people living in cities. Vehicle smoke, poisonous particles emitted from factories and construction dust go deep into the lungs. Prolonged exposure can cause cells to change and cause cancer.
genetic variation
In some cases, lung cancer is caused by genetic factors. Some gene mutations found in children, such as EGFR, can trigger cancer cells to grow rapidly even without any external cause. This risk increases even more in families with a history of cancer.
exposure to radon gas
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes out of the ground and rocks. It can accumulate in homes with poor ventilation. It is invisible and odorless, but long-term exposure to it can increase the risk of lung cancer even in non-smokers.
hormonal factors
Some research has shown that hormonal changes can also affect the risk of lung cancer. Certain hormone-related conditions, especially in girls, can promote the growth of cancer cells. Research is still going on in this area, but it cannot be ignored.
What do experts say?
Dr. Tarang Krishna, cancer immunotherapy expert and managing director of Cancer Healer Centre, has identified three warning signs of lung cancer. Dr Tarang Krishna, who has over 22 years of experience, said in an Instagram video posted on December 3 that lung cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, but it is often detected very late. He told that if the disease is detected early, the treatment can be much easier and more effective. That is why it is very important to take the initial symptoms seriously. A 2022 Lancet study showed that long-term exposure to fine pollutant particles like PM2.5 is increasing the incidence of non-small cell lung cancer in non-smokers, especially in urban and industrial areas. In many big Indian cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Noida, the level of air pollution has now become so high that they do not meet the standards of the World Health Organization. Continuously breathing toxic air is a serious threat to the lungs.