Lung Cancer

NurseeTee · Mar 7, 2006

This morning I was shocked to hear the news about Dana Reeves death due to lung cancer. According to the reports she had never smoked, just how common is it that non-smokers get lung cancer ??? Very sad story ...only the son is left now 13yrs old. I know lung cancer is very prevelant but just what are the statistics of non-smokers dying from this???

While I can't find exact figures, it seems the standard number is that 80% of all lung cancers come from the person smoking. Other factors can include second-hand smoke, asbestos or other toxic exposure, or even just bad genetics.

While I admittedly don't have a huge amount of experience with lung cancer, I do have a good amount, and have never seen someone live more than about a year after diagnosis. It's very sad.

sharann, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

That 13 year old sure got it tough losing both parents so young.

Mulan · Mar 7, 2006

According to the news report, 1 in 5 women diagnosed never lit a cigarette.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

It's very sad. Unfortunately, most lung cancers have spread by the time they are diagnosed, making a lasting remission difficult to acheive.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

This is so very very sad. I know a woman who was diagnosed with lung cancer, a year after her husband died. She never smoked either. I'm convinced (without evidence) that the stress of losing a spouse can cause cancer.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

This is so very very sad. I know a woman who was diagnosed with lung cancer, a year after her husband died. She never smoked either. I'm convinced (without evidence) that the stress of losing a spouse can cause cancer.

Me too! I think you can "talk" yourself into having cancer and just getting sick in general. By "talking yourself into it" I really mean stress yourself out enough, worry about things enough...BAM - you're sick.

And when it comes to losing a spouse, that's why I watch my mother like a hawk and entertain her to the point that sometimes it drives me to distraction: I KNOW there's something to the old adage "died of a broken heart".

I wouldn't be surprised if Dana Reeve basically worked and worried herself to death, so to speak. For her sake, she didn't suffer long - but, oh, their son...

live4today, RN · Mar 7, 2006

My heart grieves for their son. I will be praying for him for years to come that he remain healthy, bright, and grow up to be a fine human being just as his parents were. So far, his upbringing has been sound and good. May it continue with whomever he goes to live with.

I had a 44 year old patient years ago who never smoked in her life. She had just aced her annual physical in good health. Four months later, she was hospitalized, diagnosed with lung cancer, and died within weeks of being hospitalized. Shock to the whole family. She was a runner, very fit, and nice as she could be.

When death comes to visit us, it's just our turn to go. :balloons:

HappyNurse2005, RN · Mar 8, 2006

Being on a cardiac surgery floor, which of course, also gets the lung surgery pt's(it says cardiac, but its cardiothoracic all together, ya know) i've seen several lung cancer pt's there for lobectomies/mass removal/etc.

Had one, a 60 some year old woman who went to doc to follow up for somehing or other, and incidentally found the lung cancer. Early. Removed it-got it all-cured. She never smoked.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2006

Roughly, 80% to 85% of lung cancer occurs in people with known risk factors (smoking/mine employment/exposure to industrial toxins/etc).

Not only is tobacco a big factor in lung cancer, it is also clearly implicated in higher rates of many other cancers, including breast, head and neck, esophageal, laryngeal, pancreatic, renal and bladder.

Socalled "smokeless" tobacco such as chewing tobacco/snuff are significant factors in development of oral cancers and head & neck cancer.

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 8, 2006

My heart goes out to her son. The whole family has been through so much. It is just a very sad thing. She said in her last interview, that the tumor is shrinking and everything is looking good. She was in such a good spirit.

postmortRNhere · Mar 8, 2006

Hi, thanks for all the replies. I have not had much exposure to patients with this disease and just never gave it much thought until now.... sad. I am very grateful for this site because all of you are sooooooo generous with your knowledge.