When we talk about women’s health, conditions like breast cancer, PCOS, or thyroid disorders often dominate the conversation. Lung cancer is rarely one of them.
But perhaps it should be. Because hundreds of thousands of women are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and in many populations, it claims more lives than breast cancer. What’s even more surprising is that many of these women have never smoked.
So what is really causing it? The answer may not lie in one single factor, but in a combination of factors, such as the environments women are exposed to every day and the genetic factors they carry.
In this blog, we will zoom into what exactly lung cancer is, why it is impacting more and more women, and beyond smoking, how environment and genetics are influencing lung cancer in women.
Lung cancer is a condition in which cells present in the lungs mutate, grow uncontrollably and form tumours. These abnormally mutated cells then interrupt the function of healthy lung tissue, causing difficulty in breathing. They can also spread to other parts of the body if not treated in time. Usually, it starts with affecting the cells present in the air passage, called bronchi, or in the air sacs called alveoli.
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Some of the most common lung cancer symptoms are:
Sometimes, the early signs of lung cancer are very subtle or even absent, which is why awareness and timely screening are so important.
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Lung cancer is often called a ‘smoker’s disease’, however, with more research being conducted, this perception is shifting. A report by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation says that while smoking is the number one cause of this disease, more than 20% of lung cancers have been diagnosed in non-smokers. What’s more concerning is that non-smokers who develop lung cancer are nearly twice as likely to be women than men.
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Another report by the World Cancer Research Fund mentions that there are around 2.48 million new lung cancer cases globally. Of these, about 908,000 cases were in women, making it the second most common cancer in women.
But why is lung cancer increasing so rapidly among women, and what are the reasons behind it? Let’s know the reason in the following sections.
1. Biological Differences Increasing the Risk
2. Role of Genetic Factors in Women’s Lung Cancer
Genetics refers to the inherited traits passed down from parents. Certain genetic mutations (changes in DNA) can increase the risk of lung cancer. They are as follows:
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The hormonal influence on lung cancer risk is an area of ongoing research, but studies suggest that hormones, especially oestrogen may also influence the growth of lung cancer cells. Oestrogen is a natural hormone that regulates many functions like menstrual cycle, puberty, pregnancy and more in the female body.
Some reports also says that oestrogen may:
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While genetics sets the stage, environmental exposures often act as triggers. Many women encounter environmental risk factors of lung cancer in their daily lives without even realising it.
The risk of lung cancer due to external causes increases if a woman is dealing with long-term exposure to:
In countries like India, indoor air pollution from cooking using traditional fuels is a major concern. Certainly, exposure to these toxins can damage lung cells over time.
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Even urban air pollution, that is something many people are exposed to daily, can increase lung cancer risk.
This doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop the disease as a woman, but it does mean you should be more vigilant about screening and lifestyle choices.
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Things get more complicated when different risk factors combine and increase the chances of the disease. Lung cancer usually develops because of a mix of genetic factors and environmental exposures.
For instance, a woman with a variation in the GSTM1 gene, which helps the body remove harmful toxins, may have a higher risk of lung cancer when exposed to smoking or air pollution compared to someone without that variation.
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Yes, lung cancer can be detected early, using the right screening method at the right time, because early lung cancer often does not cause clear symptoms. If you experience any signs of the disease, do not delay discussing them with a cancer specialist. Early detection plays a great role in making the disease treatable.
Coming to its diagnosis, it usually involves screening methods such as:
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Important to know
– Regular health check-ups are helpful for general health
– But they are not specific lung cancer screening tests
– Many early lung cancers do not show symptoms
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Screening and detection brings us to an important question, is lung cancer curable? The answer depends largely on the stage at which it is diagnosed.
As stated earlier, early stage lung cancer can often be treated successfully with surgery, targeted therapy, or radiation.
In advanced stages, treatment focuses on controlling the disease and improving quality of life.
To conclude, lung cancer is curable, especially when diagnosed early, but its survival rates may vary.
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While not every case can be prevented, these steps can meaningfully lower your risk:
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Lung cancer in women is not caused by a single factor. It is the result of a complex combination of genetics and environment. While genetic mutations may increase the risk, environmental exposure often triggers it. Knowing this connection makes prevention easier and detection earlier.
If you are concerned about your lung health, we, at the CK Birla hospital, are here to help you. Book a consultation with our specialists today and take a proactive step towards protecting your lungs.
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Are certain women more genetically prone to lung cancer?
Two mutations that come up frequently in research are EGFR and ALK. These are particularly relevant for women who have never smoked. These mutations affect how cells grow and divide, increasing cancer risk.
Can lung cancer be passed down through generations?
Having a close relative who had lung cancer doesn’t mean you’ll get it too, but it is worth paying attention to. It can suggest a shared genetic vulnerability in your family, which is why doctors often recommend earlier or more frequent screening if this applies to you.
Is lung cancer in women influenced by hormone levels?
This is an area researchers are still exploring. But a hormone called oestrogen may promote the growth of certain lung cancer cells. Some tumours have oestrogen receptors, suggesting that hormones could influence cancer development and progression.
Does smoking hit women’s lungs harder than men’s?
Smoking is harmful for everyone, but there’s growing evidence that women’s lungs may be more vulnerable to tobacco’s damage, even at lower levels of exposure than men. It’s not entirely clear why, but biology seems to play a role in how the body processes and reacts to the chemicals in cigarette smoke.
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