Lung Cancer’s Most Common Type Now Found in Non-Smokers: New Study Reveals

Washington (Daily Pakistan Online): Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, but a recent study has shown that the most common type of lung cancer is now increasingly being diagnosed in individuals who have never smoked.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analyzed four major types of lung cancer globally, including adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. According to the findings, adenocarcinoma has emerged as the most common type in recent years, with a notably higher risk found in young women.

Published this month in *The Lancet Respiratory Medicine*, the study revealed that adenocarcinoma originates in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is particularly common among those who have never smoked. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adenocarcinoma accounts for 50% of lung cancer cases in non-smokers.

The study also highlighted air pollution as a key factor contributing to the spread of the disease, with the highest number of cases reported in East Asia, particularly China. Globally, adenocarcinoma makes up 45% of lung cancer cases in men and about 60% in women.

Dr. Freddy Bray, the lead author of the study and Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, explained, “This study aims to better understand how time and geographical factors affect lung cancer risk. We are trying to determine how air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM), may increase the risk of this disease.”

Dr. Mark Siegel, Clinical Professor at NYU Langone Health and Senior Medical Analyst at *Fox News*, commented on the study, stating that the rise in lung cancer among non-smokers is primarily attributed to air pollution. He noted that adenocarcinoma now accounts for nearly 50% of lung cancer cases.

Additionally, the increasing use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is also being linked to the rising incidence of lung cancer. While smoking rates have significantly decreased, secondhand smoke remains a lingering risk. According to Dr. Siegel, genetic factors may also play a role in cancer risk, and further research is needed in this area.