We often think that there should be a difference between smoking and non-smoking as shown in the picture above. It is also common to think that people get lung cancer because of smoking and that if they don’t smoke, they will be safe from lung cancer. However, the reality is often unique. Why is it that more and more non-smokers are getting lung cancer? As many as 20 percent of people in the United States die of lung cancer each year, equating to 16,000 to 24,000 people who do not smoke or smoke any other form of tobacco. And in fact, if lung cancer in nonsmokers were categorized separately, it would rank among the top 10 most deadly cancers in the United States. In addition to staying away from tobacco, which is the most important point in reducing the risk of lung cancer, there are other risk factors that can contribute to lung cancer. In the past decade, researchers have made great progress in exploring the causes of lung cancer in non-smokers. 1, radon gas The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that exposure to radon gas is the main cause of lung cancer development in non-smokers. About 21,000 people die of lung cancer due to it every year. The level of radon in the air is harmless, but when we are in a house built on a natural uranium deposit, the level of radon in the air will rise sharply. Studies have found that the risk of lung cancer is significantly higher when you live in a radon polluted house for a long time. Because radon gas is invisible and odorless, the only way to discover it is to test it in your home. A citizen’s guide on radon use issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes how to test it at home and what to do after the level rises. 2.Second-hand smoke Every year, about 7,000 people die of lung cancer due to inhaling second-hand smoke. Laws banning smoking in public places can help reduce this risk. The American Cancer Society is committed to expanding and strengthening enforcement of these laws to further protect smokers and nonsmokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. 3. Carcinogens in the Workplace For some people, exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos and diesel exhaust can occur in the workplace. In recent years, such carcinogens have been significantly reduced as the government and industry have taken steps to help protect workers. However, the danger still exists, and if you work in these workplaces, you should try to reduce your exposure to these carcinogenic substances. 4. air pollution It is well known that indoor and outdoor air pollution can directly cause lung cancer. in 2013, the World Health organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a carcinogenic substance. According to Dr. Elizabeth, vice president of the American Cancer Society, in an intramural study, air pollution-related lung cancer rates were lower in the United States than any other, thanks to its various policies to reduce air pollution levels. 5, genetic mutations Researchers are increasingly working to understand the causes of cellular cancer and how lung cancer cells differ between non-smokers and smokers. For example, an article published in Clinical Cancer Research explains that a specific type of genetic mutation is more common in lung cancer in nonsmokers. This mutation activates a gene that helps cells grow and divide. This mutation keeps the gene activated, causing lung cancer cells to grow faster. Knowing which mutations cause the cells to grow will help researchers develop targeted therapeutic drugs, especially drugs that target these genes because of the mutation. In summary, lifestyle changes, early prevention and detection, and learning more about lung cancer are of utmost importance. Non-smokers no longer have the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer. Male smokers are 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers, and female smokers are 6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. But nonsmokers can help reduce their cancer risk by making lifestyle changes. Detecting radon in the home, avoiding secondhand smoke, and reducing exposure to cancer-causing workplaces can best prevent non-smokers from developing lung cancer. A healthy diet and plenty of fruits and vegetables can also help reduce the risk of lung cancer. Some evidence suggests that a diet of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of lung cancer in both smokers and nonsmokers. However, any positive effect of fruits and vegetables on lung cancer is far less than the increased risk of smoking.