Although smoking is recognised as a significant risk factor for lung cancer, lung cancer doesn’t just affect smokers.

The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme helps detect lung cancer early, but currently only invites people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke. Non-smokers aren’t eligible for this screening, which makes raising awareness about lung cancer in people who have never smoked especially important. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines a “never smoker” as someone who has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

Lung cancer in non-smokers is often diagnosed at a later stage, as symptoms can be mistaken for less serious conditions — even when they are persistent or unexplained.

This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the risks and statistics of lung cancer in non-smokers, challenging common misconceptions, and emphasising how an early diagnosis and advances in treatment, positive outcomes are possible.

As a specialist centre of excellence for lung cancer, GenesisCare bring together world-class experts and the latest innovations to deliver truly personalised care. Our advanced treatment options include MRI-guided stereotactic ablative radiotherapy deliverd on the MR Linac, which allows clinicians to see and precisely target lung tumours in real time, even as they move with each breath. Alongside this breakthrough technology, we offer cutting-edge chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, designed to destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. This combination of expertise, compassion, and innovation means every patient receives the best possible care, tailored to their individual needs.

Non-smokers experience many of the same lung cancer symptoms a smoker would. The only difference is non-smokers may not consider themselves at risk meaning early warning signs are sometimes dismissed or overlooked.

The most common reported symptoms include:

• A persistant cough
• Repeated chest infection
• Trouble breathing / wheezing / shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Blood in phlegm
• A hoarse voice
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Chest discomfort or pain

If you're concerned about lung cancer it’s important to seek advice from your GP surgery as soon as possible so they can arrange for any tests to help decide if you need to see a specialist, such as a pulmonologist.

As an international hockey player, Jon never imagined lung cancer would be part of his story. The week he reached the pinnacle of his sporting career — being selected to represent England at the Masters World Cup in New Zealand — he was also told he had lung cancer.

Five years earlier, Jon had been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition and attended regular check-ups. In December 2023, his consultant noticed something unusual on a routine scan. Further tests revealed a fast-growing tumour in his lung, and he was admitted for a left lobe lobectomy later that month.

Although we’re still learning about lung cancer in non-smokers, there are some recognised contributing risk factors. These include:

• Family history 
• Air pollution 
• Exposure to second hand smoke 
• Exposure to asbestos 
• Exposure to radon gas 

Several factors, including smoking history, can influence the type of lung cancer someone develops and how its treated.

In someone who smokes, their lungs are exposed to a wide range of carcinogens from tobacco smoke, which can cause various types of damage.

Non-smokers who develop lung cancer are more likely to have specific genetic mutations, such as EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase), or KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog).

There are different treatment approaches to lung cancer depending on the type and stage of an individual’s diagnosis, its location in the chest and the patient’s overall health. 

• Non-small cell lung cancer: Surgery or radiotherapy, often combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, are the main treatments for early disease. For more advanced disease chemotherapy or immunotherapy can be combined.
• Small cell lung cancer: The main treatments of early disease are chemotherapy, MRI-guided radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, which may be combined. Treatment for more advanced disease is chemotherapy or immunotherapy which can be combined.
• EGFR+: The most comment form of treatment, is targeted drug therapies, often given in tablet form.

We’re the leading independent provider of cancer care in the UK, offering fast access to cutting-edge treatment and technology for lung cancer, combined with compassionate, world-class care.

Our comprehensive lung cancer treatment pathway includes innovative treatments such advanced MRI-guided radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and personalised exercise medicine. With the expertise of our leading lung cancer specialists, we deliver truly outstanding care.