Understanding Lung Cancer Beyond Smoking

Risk Factors & New Hope from Innovation

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Lung cancer is a complex disease influenced by many factors beyond smoking. Focusing only on smoking as a cause does a disservice to the many who face it despite being nonsmokers.

Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadliest forms of cancer globally. While smoking is widely recognised as a primary cause, in recent years, cases of lung cancer among non-smokers have been on the rise, particularly among women. Environmental and occupational exposures, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices are among the factors that can be attributed to the development of this disease. Raising awareness and enhancing understanding of the risk factors is essential to improving prevention, early detection, and outcomes.

• Risk factors beyond tobacco

• One of the most pressing concerns in urban and industrial regions is air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and other toxic pollutants have been found to cause cellular damage in the lungs, increasing the risk of cancer. Long-term exposure, particularly in densely populated cities, has been associated with a significant rise in lung-related illnesses, including cancer.