Never Smoked but Still Get Lu.ng Can.cer? Doctors Say the Cause Comes from One Thing Almost Everyone Is Exposed To — Especially Asian Women

This situation is increasingly common in Southeast Asia and China and deserves serious attention.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the rate of lung cancer among people who have never smoked is rising rapidly, with air pollution being a major contributing factor.

This type of lung cancer—particularly lung adenocarcinoma—is currently the most common form among women in more than 185 countries. In 2022, the global number of lung cancer cases reached 2.5 million, with women accounting for nearly 1 million cases.

According to a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, air pollution has been identified as one of the main causes behind the increasing incidence of lung cancer, especially in Southeast Asia and China.

The study found that between 53% and 70% of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are linked to air pollution. This trend increased in both men and women during the period from 2020 to 2022, with women accounting for approximately 60% of total cases.

Research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), also published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, estimated that in 2022 there were about 200,000 cases of lung adenocarcinoma associated with air pollution. The disease burden caused by air pollution was highest in East Asia, particularly in China.

As smoking rates decline worldwide, lung cancer among non-smokers has continued to rise, making it the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

This trend is especially pronounced among women and Asian populations, with a strong association between air pollution and lung adenocarcinoma in regions such as East Asia.

In addition, the study pointed out that the use of solid fuels for household heating and cooking is a major cause of lung cancer among non-smoking women in China. In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Freddie Bray—lead author of the study and Head of Cancer Surveillance at IARC—stressed that these findings highlight the urgent need for close monitoring of lung cancer risks in a rapidly changing environment.

Air Pollution in Vietnam

Air pollution exposes people to fine particulate matter suspended in polluted air. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of serious diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections.

Major sources of air pollution include industrial activities, transportation, coal-fired power plants, and the use of solid fuels. Air pollution is worsening at an alarming rate, negatively affecting economic development and quality of life.

According to the WHO, air pollution is a global threat to human health. In 2018, an estimated 9 out of 10 people worldwide were breathing air containing high levels of pollutants. Air pollution—both outdoor and indoor—causes approximately 7 million deaths each year globally. In the Western Pacific region alone, around 2.2 million deaths are attributed to air pollution. In Vietnam, the situation is particularly concerning, with about 60,000 deaths each year linked to health problems caused by air pollution.

In addition to outdoor air pollution, household air pollution is a serious health threat to nearly 3 billion people who still rely on biomass fuels and coal for cooking and heating. In 2016, an estimated 3.8 million premature deaths were associated with indoor air pollution. Most of these impacts occur in developing countries, where many households continue to depend on traditional fuel sources.

Household air pollution not only harms family health but also contributes to outdoor environmental pollution, affecting both urban and rural areas. This is a critical issue that must be addressed to reduce negative impacts on public health and improve overall air quality.