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Lung Cancer-Not Just For Smokers Anymore

1,735 views · Published 7 March 2016 · 1:22 · Indexed 27 October 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2016 · Science & Technology

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In the last 50 years, cigarette smoking has declined by more than half, reaching a record low and the rate is still dropping.

“People generally are smoking less now so we see lung cancers in lighter smokers and not as much of a, the heavy exposure we used to see back in the 80s and 90s,” says Dr. Lowell Hart, an oncologist on the Lee Memorial Health System medical staff.

While smoking remains the number risk factor for most lung cancers, non-smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with a specific type on non-small cell lung cancer.

“So the new types of lung cancer that we’re seeing are more adenocarcinomas of the lung,” says Dr. Hart.

About 40% of lung cancers are adenocarcinomas. This type of lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.

“Now whether these are due to environmental sources or other sources we don't know for sure,” says Dr. Hart.

As many as 20% of the people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco.

“Still, worldwide the majority of lung cancer is caused by smoking; cigarette smoking. So the number one thing you can do for your health to avoid getting lung cancer is to avoid smoking or not start.

View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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