Science Quickly Why Is Lung Cancer Surging among Young Women?
Oct 15, 2025
Thoracic surgeon Jonathan Villena from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell sheds light on the alarming rise of lung cancer among younger, nonsmoking women. He discusses crucial risk factors like radon exposure, secondhand smoke, and genetics. Villena highlights barriers to screening and how stigma affects diagnosis, urging awareness of persistent coughs and family cancer history. He also covers advances in targeted therapies and the role of research in improving lung cancer care. This insightful conversation reveals why early detection and proactive health measures are vital.
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Rising Lung Cancer In Young Women
- Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among U.S. women, exceeding breast and ovarian cancer combined.
- Younger nonsmoking women are increasingly represented in new diagnoses, which is surprising.
Divergent Trends By Sex And Age
- Overall lung cancer incidence is decreasing, but the decline is slower in women than men.
- Younger people under 65, especially never-smokers, show an increasing share of cases among women.
Non‑Smoker Risks And Genetics
- About 20% of lung cancers occur in people who never smoked, driven by radon, secondhand smoke, occupational exposures and genetics.
- Certain genetic mutations are overrepresented in women, suggesting biological factors.