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Several studies since the 1980s have looked at whether HPV infection increases the risk for lung cancer, especially among non-smoking women. Reviews of these studies do not show a clear connection between the sexually transmitted infection and lung cancer, and some have found that there is no association at all.11 It may be an area, though, that researchers continue to investigate.
Why Is Lung Cancer Increasing in Never-Smokers?
Most Common Types of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Non-smokers are more likely to develop specific types of cancer. Because they have no history of tobacco use, the signs for these cancers are sometimes dismissed as other conditions.
Adenocarcinoma
This is the most common type of cancer among non-smokers. Adenocarcinomas are tumors that usually grow in the outer regions of the lungs and can be present for a long time before symptoms occur.12
In many instances, adenocarcinoma will have already started to spread to other regions of the body (such as bones) before a diagnosis is made.
Surgery is the first course of treatment if adenocarcinoma is caught in the early stages.13 Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to eradicate any cancer cells that can't be detected but may still be in your system.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
More than half of lung cancers in smokers are classified as squamous cell lung cancers (a type of non-small cell lung cancer). This type of cancer may affect non-smokers but is significantly less common than other types.14
Squamous cell lung cancers are associated with tumors that grow in the center of the lungs, usually in the larger bronchi that join the trachea to the lungs.
Depending on the stage of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these.
Everyone who is diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer—and especially non-smokers—should have genetic testing done on their tumors via a lung tissue biopsy or a liquid biopsy (a blood test).15
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma normally the result of asbestos exposure, gives rise to malignant tumors that begin in the membrane that lines and protects the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity.
There are three main types of mesothelioma with pleural mesothelioma being the most common. Pleural mesothelioma causes tumors to grow in the lining of the lungs.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may be considered to treat the cancer or to provide palliative care if it's clear that curing the disease is not possible.
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Common Treatment Options for Lung Cancer
Symptoms
Since the types of lung cancer and their causes are usually different in non-smokers versus smokers, it's common for symptoms of the disease to also be different.
With lung adenocarcinomas being the most common type of cancer among non-smokers, early symptoms of lung cancer are likely to be missed. These include:
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As the disease progresses, the symptoms will be similar to the signs associated with all types of lung cancer:16
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In cases of mesothelioma, shortness of breath and chest pain might be accompanied by swelling of the face and arms, trouble swallowing (feeling like food gets stuck), an irregular heartbeat, and pain in the shoulder, chest, or lower back.
Depending on the type of advanced lung cancer you have, blood clots may also develop in the advanced stages of the disease.
Could My Cough Mean Lung Cancer?
Prognosis
Lung cancer in non-smokers is often diagnosed at a late stage, being first attributed to a respiratory infection or even allergies.
Still, some (but not all) studies suggest that overall survival is better in non-smokers.17 This difference is most apparent for those who are diagnosed at an early stage of the disease.
Female non-smokers, in general, also have a better prognosis than male non-smokers with lung cancer.
Research Focus
Researchers continue to work to figure out ways to detect lung cancer in non-smokers at an earlier stage. In the future, healthcare providers may be able to test for tumor markers, substances in the blood associated with cancer, to find these cancers in non-smokers at the earliest, most treatable stages.18
How Fast Does Lung Cancer Spread?
Prevention
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Verywell / Luyi Wang
Checking your home for radon and avoiding secondhand smoke are the most important things you can do to lower your risk of lung cancer as a non-smoker.4
Certain dietary practices, as well as moderate amounts of exercise, appear to lower risk as well.19
For those who work in occupations that have a high cancer risk, it's essential that you discuss precautions with your employer. The use of personal protective equipment, especially respiratory protection, should be assured; air quality should be regularly assessed to ensure low levels of carcinogens; and regular medical examinations should be conducted.20
10 Tips for Lung Cancer Prevention
A Word From Verywell
Non-smokers who develop lung cancer may feel misunderstood. Due to the stigma of lung cancer, some people may assume that those with the disease "brought it upon themselves by smoking."
Such insensitive comments can make anyone feel alienated, whether they are smokers or non-smokers. In fact, research notes that lung cancer patients frequently comment that they feel less supported than people with other forms of cancer.21
Don't let this prevent you from sharing your struggles with others and seeking help when you need it. While such comments may be distressing to hear, know that, oftentimes, they come from a place of unawareness. Surround yourself with positive individuals who can provide you with the support you need.
By Lynne Eldridge, MD
Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time."
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