We can be exposed to many harmful substances in the environment without even realizing it. For example, homes and buildings may be infested with mold, which can be hard to get rid of. Mold exposure can cause a variety of health issues, potentially leading to breathing problems or other symptoms.

If you have lung cancer and think you may have been exposed to mold, you may wonder if the two are related. This article will cover the possible health effects of mold exposure and how they might be associated with lung cancer. Your doctor can help you better understand the different causes of lung cancer, the dangers of mold exposure, and steps you can take to prevent further damage to your body.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can be found in both indoors and outdoors. It spreads through the environment in the form of spores — dustlike particles that travel through the air. Mold is an important part of the natural environment and helps break down dead plants. However, when spores find their way indoors, mold can start growing inside a building.

Exposure to Mold

All fungi require moisture to grow, so humid environments that have a high concentration of moisture in the air can more easily lead to mold growth. Mold is also more likely to be found in parts of your home that tend to be damp or collect water, such as:

• Basements
• Leaky pipes
• Bathrooms
• Windows

When mold spores land on a surface, they can grow and spread. Mold can grow on a number of different household surfaces, including:

• Wood
• Paper and cardboard
• Ceiling tiles
• Drywall
• Insulation
• Carpets and furniture

When there are only a few spores, you probably can’t see or smell them, which can make it hard to know that you have mold in your home. However, if you notice dark spots on surfaces or a peculiar smell, those might be clues to a mold infestation.

Because mold spores travel through the air, it’s possible to breathe in mold if your home is infested. The food you eat can also get contaminated with mold.

Types of Indoor Mold

Several species of mold are commonly found in buildings and homes. People are often most concerned about Stachybotrys chartarum, more commonly known as black mold. Other types of mold that may be found indoors include Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium species.

These molds can produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Different types of mold produce different types of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin. The more you’re exposed to mold spores, the more the mycotoxins can build up in your body. This can have a negative effect on your health.

Symptoms Caused by Mold

You might notice symptoms of mold exposure before you even know you’ve been exposed. Prolonged mold exposure is linked to a number of respiratory symptoms that affect your nose, throat, and breathing. If your home has mold, you may eventually experience symptoms like:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Congestion or a runny nose
• Eye irritation
• Coughing or a sore throat
• Sneezing

In addition to causing respiratory problems, exposure to black mold can lead to symptoms like body aches and problems concentrating. This is known as toxic mold syndrome.

Although anyone can be affected by mold, some people have allergic reactions to certain molds — also known as allergic rhinitis. People with respiratory illnesses like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are also likely to be more sensitive to the effects of mold exposure.

Health Problems Caused by Mold

Mold exposure also can cause new health problems. Researchers believe that mycotoxins weaken the immune system and make the body more vulnerable to infections, potentially causing health issues. High levels of mycotoxins have been linked to several medical conditions, including:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, caused by Aspergillus species
• Allergic fungal sinusitis, a type of sinus infection
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a more severe allergic disease that leads to inflammation
• Other fungal infections

Although it’s known that mold can cause negative health effects, many of these health problems are still not well understood. Health care providers are trying to identify all the conditions that can be linked to mold.

Connection Between Mold and Lung Cancer

Indoor mold exposure can cause many respiratory symptoms that may mimic some symptoms of lung cancer, but can black mold cause lung cancer? Although exposure to black mold and other indoor mold is linked to fungal infections that can affect the lungs, current research suggests that mold exposure doesn't lead to lung cancer.

Indoor mold exposure doesn’t seem to directly cause lung cancer, but it has been linked to related diseases. Interstitial lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, are a group of diseases that can cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by mold exposure can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis may be connected, as people with pulmonary fibrosis are more likely to have lung cancer. Having pulmonary fibrosis can also complicate lung cancer treatment and make symptoms worse.

Additionally, mycotoxins produced by mold are thought to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can potentially cause mutations (changes) in DNA or cause DNA to become damaged. This can increase the risk of cancer.

Causes of Lung Cancer

Although mold doesn’t cause lung cancer, exposure to other substances in the environment can increase your risk of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, is one of the most well-known risk factors for lung cancer. Your risk also increases with exposure to:

• Heavy metals
• Radon, a toxic gas
• Asbestos, a material often used in construction
• Burning coal
• Industrial chemicals

Steps To Reduce Exposure

If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms or worried about the possibility of mold in your environment, you can take steps to reduce your chances of exposure. Using a dehumidifier or running the air conditioning can lower humidity levels and make it harder for mold to grow. You can also make the following changes, if needed:

• Avoid carpet in areas of your home that have higher levels of moisture, like basements and bathrooms.
• Make sure your home is well ventilated.
• Fix any leaks, and repair flooded areas.

Even with these changes, you may worry about mold exposure making your lung cancer worse. Don’t hesitate to mention your concerns to your doctor. They’ll try to better understand how your environment might be affecting you and what it can mean for your cancer. The sooner you seek medical attention for your health concerns, the sooner your doctor can help you avoid complications from mold exposure.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social support network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 13,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand.

Do you have more questions about mold exposure and lung cancer? Share your insights in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.