In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, experts stated that while smoking is responsible for most lung cancer cases, nearly a third of these cases occur in non-smokers. It is a misconception that one must be a smoker or a former smoker to develop this disease.

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The British newspaper The Independent reported that, according to Cancer Research UK, “nearly three-quarters of lung cancer cases in the UK, or 72%, are caused by smoking, with 71% from active smoking and 1% from passive smoking.”

The NHS noted that smoking more than 25 cigarettes per day increases the risk of developing lung cancer by 25 times compared to non-smokers. However, this also means that 28% of cases occur among non-smokers.

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In fact, Roy Castle, the renowned television artist who gave his name to the charity “Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation,” died of lung cancer in 1994, even though he had never smoked, according to the British newspaper.

Paula Chadwick, the charity’s chief executive, stated, “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. It is crucial that anyone experiencing symptoms seeks medical help and advocates for a thorough check-up, regardless of their smoking history.”

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Dr. Rachel Orritt, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, added, “Most lung cancer cases in the UK affect people aged 50 and above, often due to smoking, but the disease can also affect people who have never smoked.”

Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke and substances such as asbestos, silica, and diesel fumes encountered in the workplace, outdoor air pollution, previous lung diseases like COPD, exposure to natural radon gas, and a family history of lung cancer, according to the center.

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Other general symptoms of lung cancer include: loss of appetite, unexplained fatigue, unintentional weight loss, swelling of the fingers, difficulty swallowing, or swelling in the face or neck.

However, early awareness of symptoms and understanding that the disease does not only affect smokers offer a better chance for early diagnosis of more cases, according to the British newspaper.