When most people think of lung cancer, smoking is usually the first cause that comes to mind. But surprisingly, up to 1 in 5 people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked a single cigarette. Many of these non-smokers are in their 40s or 50s—much younger than the typical lung cancer patient image.
This shift is raising concern among experts, who now believe that something else might be contributing to these cases. One likely factor is radon gas, a dangerous but invisible threat that many people know little about.
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in the ground when certain types of rock and soil break down. It can seep into buildings through tiny cracks in the foundation, then build up over time. What makes radon especially dangerous is that you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. People can live with high levels of radon in their homes without ever knowing it’s there—until it’s too late.
A recent survey by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that 75% of Americans have never tested their homes for radon.
Even more concerning, over half of the people surveyed said they weren’t worried about radon exposure in their homes, neighborhoods, or schools. This lack of awareness could be putting many people at risk without their knowledge.
Dr. David Carbone, a lung cancer expert at Ohio State University, is one of the many doctors trying to change that. He points out that lung cancer doesn’t just affect smokers. Anyone can get it, especially if they’re exposed to harmful substances like radon. He stresses that people should test their homes, because it’s one of the simplest ways to reduce a major risk factor.
Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. You can buy a radon test kit online or at a hardware store. If the test finds that radon levels in your home are too high, there are effective ways to fix the problem. These include sealing cracks in floors and walls, improving airflow in your house, or installing a radon mitigation system that vents the gas outside.
The troubling rise in lung cancer among non-smokers is pushing experts to look beyond just tobacco when it comes to prevention. Radon isn’t the only risk—secondhand smoke and certain workplace chemicals can also lead to lung cancer—but radon is unique because of how common it is and how easily it can go unnoticed.
Symptoms of lung cancer, such as a cough that won’t go away, chest pain, and extreme tiredness, can appear in anyone, regardless of whether they’ve smoked or not. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if these signs last more than a few weeks. Lung cancer is more treatable when it’s caught early.
Right now, regular screening for lung cancer is mostly offered to long-time smokers. But as cases among non-smokers continue to rise, doctors and health leaders are starting to call for wider screening guidelines. They’re also pushing for new laws that would require radon testing in homes, schools, and public buildings, to catch this hidden danger before it can do harm.
Radon-related lung cancer often develops slowly over many years. That means testing your home now could save your life or the life of someone you love in the future. The recent survey shows that too many people still don’t know about the risks. But with better awareness and action, radon exposure is something we can reduce or even prevent.
Protecting yourself starts with a simple test. In the case of radon, what you don’t see can hurt you—but with knowledge and the right steps, it doesn’t have to.
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