Other surprising causes of lung cancer
"Radiation exposure—environmental or occupational; asbestos; chronic inflammatory lung disease like bronchiectasis or chronic bronchitis; environmental exposures including pollution and dust" can all lead to lung cancer, Dr. Park says. "Wear protective respiratory gear if engaged in an occupation where respiratory exposure to particulate matter is high." In addition, there may be a genetic element to lung cancer, but that probably doesn't come into play unless you actually smoke, Dr. Sands says.
Early lung cancer symptoms are rare
You may be ignoring the signs of lung cancer. But unfortunately, the symptoms frequently show up only after the cancer is advanced. "This is why so many people diagnosed with lung cancer have metastatic disease [cancer that's spread]," Dr. Sands says. "Seventy percent of lung cancers diagnosed from symptoms are stage 4 and not curable." Plus, symptoms of lung cancer are so common among smokers, they're not reliable for diagnosis. Even so, see your doctor if you have symptoms under the acronym BREATHE: Blood when coughing, recurring respiratory infections, enduring cough, aches in the shoulder, back, or chest, trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, or exhaustion.