Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis has drawn attention to a crucial fact: lung cancer can develop in people who have never smoked. Although smoking remains the leading risk factor, it is not the only cause.
The Pope underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13, 2026, after doctors discovered a small, localized lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed that an examination of the removed tissue identified lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer. However, no public statement has established what caused his illness.
How Common Is Lung Cancer Among Non-Smokers?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10% to 20% of lung cancers in the United States occur in people who have never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. This represents an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 cases each year.
These figures apply to the United States, and rates vary across populations. Researchers continue to investigate why some people who have never smoked develop the disease.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer overall. It also accounts for approximately 50% to 60% of lung cancers diagnosed in people who have never smoked, according to the CDC.
What Can Cause Lung Cancer Without Smoking?
Several factors can increase lung cancer risk in people who do not smoke. One is radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate inside buildings. Long-term exposure increases the risk of developing the disease.
Secondhand smoke is another risk factor because it exposes non-smokers to cancer-causing substances. Air pollution can also contribute to the risk, particularly with long-term exposure to polluted air.
Certain workplace substances, including asbestos, diesel exhaust and some forms of silica and chromium, are also associated with lung cancer. In addition, family history and genetic factors may influence a person’s susceptibility.
These risks do not mean that everyone exposed to them will develop cancer. In many cases, doctors cannot identify a single cause for an individual diagnosis.
Why Early Detection Matters
Lung cancer may cause no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms appear, they can include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain or shortness of breath. These symptoms can also result from other conditions, so medical assessment is essential.
Low-dose computed tomography (CT) can help detect lung cancer early in certain people at high risk. However, screening recommendations depend on individual risk factors.
In the United States, routine screening recommendations focus on people who meet specific age and smoking-history criteria. The CDC does not recommend routine lung cancer screening for people who have never smoked because the potential harms may outweigh the benefits for this group.
Researchers continue to explore how doctors could identify non-smokers who might benefit from screening. At present, there is no universally accepted screening program for everyone who has never smoked.
What People Should Know
Avoiding tobacco smoke and reducing exposure to harmful substances can help lower lung cancer risk. Radon testing may also be appropriate in areas where exposure is a concern.
People with persistent respiratory symptoms, relevant workplace exposures or a family history of lung cancer should discuss their concerns with a healthcare professional.
Pope Leo XIV’s diagnosis has brought renewed attention to lung cancer. It also highlights an important distinction: the disease can affect people who have never smoked, but that fact alone cannot explain why a particular person develops it.
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