There are still a few risk factors that can cause cancer in a non-smoker. Number 1, second-hand smoke. Chronic exposure to second-hand smoke can cause cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, but your surrounding family members or friends smoke, second-hand smoke can cause cancer. Second is chronic chemical exposure, such as radon or asbestos. If you work in a factory that produces radon or asbestos, there is an increased risk of having lung cancer. Third, medical history. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis, a long-standing of infection will cause inflammation of the lung. It will subsequently lead to lung cancer. The fourth factor is genetically linked. Certain non-smoker lung cancers have this gene EGFR and ALK, which is specifically found in non-smokers. This can mutate and cause lung cancer.
There are ways to screen for lung cancer. We normally do a low-dose CT scan every year to screen for lung cancer. Please contact your healthcare professional for this screening.