A total of 71.34% of people with pulmonary nodules had never smoked. This was the conclusion reached by Chinese scientists after analyzing data from more than 10,000 patients at 23 hospitals across 16 provinces. The findings were reported by the People’s Daily, the official publication of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
The participants were followed for two to three years after pulmonary nodules were incidentally detected. Women accounted for 56.56% of the study group, and 97.1% of them had never smoked. Among men, the proportion who had never smoked was 37.8%.
The scientists emphasized that a pulmonary nodule does not mean that a person has cancer. It is a small growth in lung tissue that is most often detected by computed tomography (CT). Nodules can develop as a result of inflammation, infection, or other benign changes. In some cases, however, they may indicate a malignant tumor, which is why they require monitoring and, when necessary, additional testing.
The researchers also reported that 73.2% of lung cancer cases in the study population occurred in people who did not belong to the traditional high-risk group. This group primarily includes people with a significant history of smoking.
About 71.1% of participants reported exposure to secondhand smoke. Other potentially important factors associated with pulmonary nodules include exposure to cooking fumes, environmental conditions, and characteristics of the nodules themselves, including their number and structure.
“The findings demonstrate the need for further research into risk factors for lung disease in non-smokers, particularly women. However, the study does not mean that all non-smokers require lung cancer screening. The decision to undergo CT screening depends on age, individual risk factors, and current medical recommendations,” the researchers concluded.
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