Published ,
Reading 1 min.
According to a study presented at the 26th congress of pulmonology, held in Lille from 21 to 23 January, non-smokers affected by lung cancer have doubled in ten years.
The College of General Hospital Pulmonologists (CPHG) is sounding the alarm. Every ten years, they carry out an inventory of lung cancer in France. Their latest study, presented at their annual conference, shows that among those affected by ccancer of the lung, the number of non-smokers has doubled in twenty years, rising from 7.2% in 2000 to more than 12% today.
Pollution, genetic factors…
How to explain this phenomenon ? Experts put forward several causes. First of all, there are causes intrinsic to the individual, such as genetic factors that promote the onset of the disease. But not only.
Air pollution is increasingly blamed for the development of lung cancer. Some specialists also blame environmental pollutants such as aerosols, pesticides or insecticides, which cause respiratory diseases and potentially cancer.
Asbestos, a known carcinogen
As for cancers of occupational origin, the role of asbestos is now known. The material is responsible for bronchial cancers, which evolve silently, without causing symptoms. According to pulmonologists, once the symptoms are declared (pain, cough, coughing up blood…), it is already too late.
Consult an oncologist online
Women, new victims
This study also revealed that more and more women were affected by lung cancer. They represent 34% of cases, against 16% in 2000. A sharp increase caused by the active smoking of this category of the population.
Because let’s not forget, cigarettes remain the cause of lung cancer in 85% of cases.