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For a long time, lung cancer has often been associated only with smokers. In reality, however, this disease is one of the biggest health challenges worldwide and can affect anyone, including people who have never smoked.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), there were approximately 2.48 million new cases of lung cancer worldwide in 2022. In the same year, lung cancer caused around 1.8 million deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. In Indonesia, the burden of lung cancer is also significant. Data from GLOBOCAN 2022 recorded around 38,904 new lung cancer cases each year, placing it as the second most common cancer in Indonesia after breast cancer. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in the country.
Experts predict that lung cancer cases may continue to rise in the coming years. This trend is influenced by factors such as population growth, aging populations, and exposure to various risk factors including air pollution, secondhand smoke, and harmful chemicals in the workplace. These facts highlight that lung cancer is not limited to smokers, it can also occur in people who have never smoked. Understanding these risk factors is therefore essential for improving awareness, prevention, and early detection.
Besides Smoking, What Are the Risk Factors for Lung Cancer?
Although smoking is widely recognized as the main cause of lung cancer, the disease is not always directly linked to this habit. Several other factors can also increase a person's risk.
One of the most common is secondhand smoke, which occurs when someone inhales smoke from another person’s cigarette. Even people who have never smoked can still experience harmful effects on their lungs from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke.
Another risk factor that is often overlooked is radon exposure. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from soil and rocks. It is colorless and odorless, but when it accumulates indoors and is inhaled over long periods, it can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Exposure to harmful substances in the workplace may also play a role. Certain industries may expose workers to chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic, silica, or diesel exhaust, all of which are known to increase the risk of lung cancer.
In addition, environmental and personal health factors can also contribute. Air pollution, high levels of arsenic in drinking water, and a personal or family history of lung cancer may increase a person's susceptibility to the disease. The risk also tends to increase with age.
These factors show that lung cancer is not solely related to smoking. Environmental exposure, occupational hazards, and individual health conditions can also significantly influence a person’s risk.
Do Non-Smokers Have the Same Risk as Smokers?
Smokers have a much higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 80–90% of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage lung cells and trigger genetic changes that eventually lead to cancer.
However, not all lung cancer patients are smokers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reports that approximately 10–20% of lung cancer cases worldwide occur in people who have never smoked. In many cases, lung cancer in non-smokers is often diagnosed at a later stage because the symptoms may not be recognized early.
This risk can be influenced by several factors. Secondhand smoke exposure, for example, is a well-known cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon exposure also plays a role. Other environmental factors such as air pollution, exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace (such as asbestos or arsenic), and family history can further increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Therefore, while the risk is lower than that of active smokers, non-smokers are not completely free from the possibility of developing lung cancer. This highlights that lung cancer is influenced not only by smoking but also by various environmental and health-related factors.
Persistent Cough? It Could Be a Warning Sign
A cough that does not go away is often considered a minor health issue, such as a cold, allergies, or throat irritation. However, if a cough lasts for several weeks and is accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss, it should not be ignored. In some cases, these symptoms may be early signs of serious lung conditions, including lung cancer.
Unfortunately, lung cancer often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages. Many cases are only diagnosed when the disease has already progressed to a more advanced stage. This is why early screening plays an important role in detecting the disease sooner.
One of the most effective methods for early detection is screening using low-dose CT scan (LDCT), which can help identify lung abnormalities before symptoms become severe.
If you have risk factors such as a history of smoking, frequent exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, or a family history of lung cancer, regular lung screening may be an important step in maintaining your health.
As a diagnostic laboratory, KALGen Innolab provides health screening services supported by modern diagnostic technology and experienced medical professionals to help detect potential health risks earlier, allowing lung conditions to be monitored and potential problems identified at an early stage.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is often considered a disease that only affects smokers. In reality, it can occur in anyone, including people who have never smoked. In addition to smoking, several other factors, such as exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon, hazardous chemicals in the workplace, and family history, can also increase the risk of lung cancer.
Because lung cancer often develops without clear symptoms in its early stages, understanding the risk factors and undergoing regular health screenings are essential. Early detection can help identify the disease sooner, increasing the chances of effective treatment and better outcomes.
Another emerging approach is genetic testing, which may help identify specific gene changes involved in the development of lung cancer and support more personalized risk assessment and prevention strategies.
References
American Cancer Society. (2024). Lung cancer risk factors.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Lung cancer risk factors. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/lung-cancer/risk-factors/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Lung cancer among people who never smoked. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/lung-cancer/nonsmokers/index.html
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2024). Lung cancer fact sheet. Global Cancer Observatory.
https://gco.iarc.who.int
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2022). Indonesia cancer fact sheet. Global Cancer Observatory. https://gco.iarc.who.int/today/data/factsheets/populations/360-indonesia-fact-sheets.pdf
International Atomic Energy Agency. (2024). ImPACT review: Cancer control capacity in Indonesia. https://www.iaea.org
World Health Organization. (2023). Cancer: Lung cancer.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer
National Cancer Institute. (2024). Lung cancer prevention and risk factors.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/lung-prevention-pdq
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