From The Conversation · Estelamari Rodriguez · · 1m 50s
Pope Leo XIV's Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer diagnosis reveals rising lung cancer rates among nonsmokers and younger people.
In brief
Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer diagnosis reveals rising lung cancer rates among nonsmokers and younger people. Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer diagnosis highlights increasing lung cancer rates in nonsmokers and younger people. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Pope Leo XIV's Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Pope Leo XIV had his lung nodule surgically removed.
Changing Face of Lung Cancer
Over the past 15 years, more women, never smokers and younger people are being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Lung Cancer as Leading Cause of Death
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, and more women die from lung cancer than breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer each year.
Rising Rates Among Women
The American Lung Association reports that lung cancer rates have risen by 79% for women over the last 44 years, but decreased by 43% for men.
First Time Younger Women Diagnosed
For the first time in history, there are more young women than men diagnosed with lung cancer.
Pope Leo XIV's Smoking Status
Leo reportedly is not a smoker.
Potential Causes of Lung Cancer
Potential causes include environmental exposures and genetics, and recognizing diverse factors that increase lung cancer risk regardless of smoking history is essential for timely screening and treatment.
Early Stage Treatment Possibility
Cancer found at the earliest stages, like the pope's, can be treated with surgery and cured for both smokers and nonsmokers.
Screening Guidelines Exclusion
People who have never smoked are not currently included in lung cancer screening guidelines, and tumors are often only found by chance.
Younger Women and Never Smokers
As a thoracic oncologist, I have seen many younger women and never smokers walk into my clinic with new lung cancer diagnoses.
The main idea
Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer diagnosis highlights increasing lung cancer rates in nonsmokers and younger people.
