How do you get lung cancer if you never smoked?

How do you get lung cancer if you never smoked?

Radon gas. Breathing it in may increase a person’s risk of lung cancer. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country, and is the leading cause among people who don’t smoke.

Does your back hurt with lung cancer?

If lung cancer grows and spreads, it can put pressure on the bones that make up the spine and the spinal cord. This can lead to pain in your neck or upper, middle, or lower back. The pain may also spread to your arms, buttocks, or legs. Your back or neck may feel numb, weak, or stiff.

Can lungs hurt in back?

In fact, back pain is frequently the first lung cancer symptom that people notice prior to diagnosis. The pain in your back might be a symptom of the lung cancer or spread of the disease. Back pain may also arise as a side effect of cancer treatment.

Will a chest xray show lung cancer?

Chest X-rays can detect cancer, infection or air collecting in the space around a lung, which can cause the lung to collapse. They can also show chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, as well as complications related to these conditions.

Can I survive stage 4 lung cancer?

In stage IV, the cancer has metastasized, or spread, beyond the lungs into other areas of the body. About 40 percent of NSCLC patients are diagnosed with lung cancer when they are in stage IV. The five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer is less than 10 percent.

Is Stage 4 lung cancer curable?

There is currently no cure for stage 4 lung cancer. However, certain treatments can alleviate the symptoms and prolong a person’s life. The best approach to treatment depends partly on the type of lung cancer. There are two main types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

How long do people live with Stage 4 lung cancer?

For example, a 5-year survival rate of 6 percent means that people with stage 4 lung cancer are, an average, about 6 percent as likely to survive for at least 5 years as people who don’t have lung cancer.