Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Lung cancer in non-smokers can be harder to detect early
Pope Leo XIV had an early lung adenocarcinoma and underwent surgery to remove a nodule and the lower lobe of his right lung.
People who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime are classified as non-smokers in the account, and this group makes up up to 20% of lung cancer diagnoses.
Lung cancer in non-smokers is more often adenocarcinoma, while smoking is more closely linked to small-cell and squamous-cell cancers.
Non-smokers are diagnosed at an average age of 67, compared with 70 for smokers, but their cancer is often detected later because symptoms may not raise suspicion and they are not included in screening programs for people with a substantial smoking history.
Some non-smokers’ tumors have changes such as EGFR or ALK, which can help doctors choose targeted treatments.
In the United States, new lung cancer cases have fallen by an average of 2% a year since 2014, while deaths have declined by about 4% a year.
Lung cancer in people who have never smoked can be harder to detect early because symptoms may not raise suspicion and they are generally outside screening programs aimed at heavy smokers.
The disease can be diagnosed after it has spread to other organs.
Non-smokers account for up to 20% of lung cancer diagnoses, according to Infobae.
Adenocarcinoma is more common among non-smokers, while smoking is more closely associated with small-cell and squamous-cell lung cancers.
Pope Leo XIV’s early adenocarcinoma was found during imaging for other reasons, and surgery removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
- Who
- People who have never smoked can also develop lung cancer. Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma.
- What
- The story explains why lung cancer in non-smokers can be detected late and how it differs from lung cancer linked to smoking.
- When
- The articles were published on October 22, 2026. The pope’s operation took place on the 13th; the month and year are not stated.
- Where
- The pope underwent surgery in Rome. The articles also discuss lung cancer in general and detection patterns in the United States.
- Why
- Symptoms may not prompt suspicion of lung cancer in people who have never smoked, and they are outside screening programs aimed at people with substantial smoking histories.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Imaging of the pope’s abdomen for other reasons revealed a nodule at the base of his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the nodule and the lower lobe of his right lung.
Examination of the tissue confirmed adenocarcinoma, which doctors had suspected from earlier tests.
- Non-smokers
- Up to 20% of lung cancer diagnoses
- Pope Leo XIV
- 71 years old
- Diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma
- Surgery
- Removal of the lower lobe of the right lung
- EGFR
- Found in up to three-quarters of lung cancer cases among non-smokers
- ALK
- Found in 14% of non-smokers with the disease