A person of any age, whether young or old, can be diagnosed with lung cancer. However, the majority of diagnoses occur later in life, typically between the ages of 65 and 74. There is minimal age difference between lung cancer patients who smoke and those who do not. According to one study, the average age of lung cancer diagnosis for people who smoke is 67, while for those who do smoke, it’s 66.

Recognizing the factors that increase your risk for lung cancer, as well as understanding how to avoid it or detect it early, can improve your chances of survival. Generally, people with a history of smoking are at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who don’t smoke.

More research is needed to understand why nonsmokers develop lung cancer. Studies suggest that women who have never smoked are more likely to develop lung cancer compared to men who have never smoked. Additionally, lung cancer among people who don’t smoke is more common in younger age groups.

Here is what we know about the effects of aging and smoking on the body and its implications for people living with lung cancer.

Genetic Mutations Increase With Age

Lung cancer is caused by mutations (changes) that can occur in the DNA of lung cells over a person’s lifetime. Some cancer-causing mutations happen naturally, while others can be inherited from a person’s parents. These mutated genes have a higher likelihood of developing into cancer as a person ages.

Mutated genes can develop naturally through errors in DNA during cell multiplication, known as DNA mutations or genetic variants. These mutations can involve a single change in the DNA or a change in an entire segment. They tend to accumulate over a person’s lifetime.

Many factors can lead to genetic changes in lung cells, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer. Besides cigarette smoking and age, other risk factors include:

• Air pollution
• Diet and nutrition
• Family history of lung cancer
• Radiation
• Radon, diesel exhaust, or asbestos exposure
• Secondhand smoke (involuntary inhalation of smoke from people around you)
• Workplace chemicals

The risk of lung cancer increases with age for everyone, regardless of smoking status. Overall, less than 2 percent of new cases are diagnosed in people under 45. The median age for lung cancer diagnosis is 71 years old, meaning half of those diagnosed are younger and half are older than 71.

Tobacco and Other Carcinogens Age the Body

The link between age and lung cancer may be related to changes in the immune system. As people age, their immune systems become less effective, making it harder to fight off cancer cells. Additionally, older age may mean longer exposure to tobacco smoke and other carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), increasing the risk of developing lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are directly linked to cancer. Approximately 80 percent of lung cancer deaths are associated with smoking.

Aging can also impact the overall function of the respiratory system, including the lungs, airways, muscles, and tissues involved in breathing. Combined with a weakened immune system, decreased lung capacity and general aging of the respiratory system may increase lung cancer risk in older individuals.

Why It’s Never Too Late To Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking offers numerous health benefits, including a lower risk of cancer for you and those around you. If someone quits smoking, their risk of developing lung cancer within the next 10 years is roughly half that of someone who continues to smoke. Additionally, quitting reduces the risk of other cancers, such as those in the bladder, esophagus, stomach, kidney, mouth, and throat. It also significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, diabetes, and stroke.

Smoking is dangerous for people who do it as well as for those around them. Some lung cancer cases in people who don’t smoke are likely due to exposure to secondhand smoke, which contains cancer-causing chemicals such as arsenic and formaldehyde.

On MyLungCancerTeam, members have described how secondhand smoke has impacted them. One member living with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) shared the following: “I was exposed to secondhand smoke for probably 15 years when working at the post office. When I started there the office was about 80 percent retired military, and the majority of them smoked while they worked. … A number of employees died of lung and other types of cancer. I was diagnosed with NSCLC 13 years after I retired, after 37 years at the post office.”

Another wrote, “My father died of lung cancer. He was a heavy smoker. My mother died of breast cancer, and she was a heavy smoker. I was diagnosed two years ago with bilateral NSCLC, but I never smoked. After two surgeries, my oncologist at Dana Farber suggested oncology panel testing and genetic testing. It was determined my lung cancer was ‘acquired not genetic.’ I am 71 years old and I grew up in a cloud of cigarette smoke. We’d go on a family vacation and my brother and I were subjected to continuous cigarette smoking in the car. There was no escaping it.”

Out of the 20,000 to 40,000 lung cancer diagnoses a year worldwide, secondhand smoke contributes to around 7,300 cases. There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke a person can inhale. Regulations around the United States, such as no smoking in federally owned buildings or most public facilities, have helped decrease the rate of exposure to secondhand smoke. Encouraging and supporting others in their goals to quit smoking can help improve the lives of the people you love.

Keep Cancer Statistics in Perspective

Cancer research can help us understand patterns and averages, but every person is different. If you’re concerned about your risk factors for cancer, talk with your health care provider. They can help you better understand your risk factors and determine whether you’re eligible for lung cancer screening.

Many factors contribute to lung cancer, some of which are controllable, while others are not. Even after a diagnosis, it is possible to improve your quality of life by taking care of your mental and physical well-being. Remember, it is never too late to start prioritizing your health.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Do you know of any lung cancer cases in people with no smoking history? How do you feel age, tobacco use, or other factors like radon exposure affected your risk of lung cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.