Israeli Doctors Explain How Non-Smokers Can Develop Lung Cancer
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israeli doctors explained how non-smokers can develop lung cancer, a disease that affected 2.5 million globally in 2022. Pope Leo XIV, a non-smoker, was recently diagnosed with widespread lung cancer. Risk factors for non-smokers include passive smoking and pollution. In Israel, screening is recommended for smokers, while personalized treatments like targeted drugs and immunotherapy are advancing care for all patients.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli doctors explained how non-smokers can develop lung cancer, a disease that affected 2.5 million globally in 2022.
- Pope Leo XIV, a non-smoker, was recently diagnosed with widespread lung cancer and underwent surgery.
- Risk factors for non-smokers include passive smoking, air pollution, radon exposure, and genetic predisposition.
- In Israel, low-dose CT scans screen smokers and former smokers, but not those who have never smoked.
- Personalized treatments, including targeted drugs and immunotherapy, are improving outcomes for lung cancer patients.
- Early detection and modern therapies allow many patients to live for years with good quality of life.
Israeli doctors have shed light on how individuals who have never smoked can develop lung cancer, following reports of Pope Leo XIV's recent diagnosis. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after a widespread form of lung cancer was discovered, despite his non-smoking history. Lung cancer, the world's deadliest cancer, affected approximately 2.5 million people globally in 2022, with 1.8 million deaths, according to the WHO. Its high mortality rate is partly due to its ability to develop asymptomatically for extended periods. Symptoms can include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, and unexplained weight loss, sometimes mimicking pneumonia or presenting no signs at all.
While smoking is the primary cause, accounting for about 97% of cases, non-smokers can also develop the disease. Israeli physicians cited passive smoking, air pollution, radon exposure, and contact with substances like asbestos and diesel exhaust as risk factors. Certain lung conditions and genetics can also play a role, with the disease most commonly diagnosed in individuals over 60. However, the exact cause often remains undetermined.
In Israel, low-dose CT scans of the chest are recommended for smokers and former smokers aged 60-74 who have smoked for at least 20 years, or those who quit within the last 15 years. This screening is covered by the national health basket and is repeated every two years if normal, but is not advised for never-smokers.
Diagnosis involves staging the cancer using PET-CT and brain MRI scans to check for lymph node involvement or metastasis. Treatment has become increasingly personalized, with genetic analysis of tumors guiding therapy, including targeted drugs that are often taken orally and are better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy. Early-stage cancers are typically treated with surgery, while radiation therapy may be used if surgery is not feasible. For more advanced stages, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy or systemic drug treatment is employed. Immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight cancer cells, is another significant advancement, offering long-term disease control for some patients.
The prognosis for lung cancer depends heavily on the stage, tumor characteristics, and treatment response. Early detection offers the possibility of a full recovery. Even with advanced disease, modern treatments can help patients manage their condition for years, maintaining a good quality of life. Survivors remain under medical observation, with regular CT scans to monitor for recurrence.