Townsville surgeon’s warning as lung cancer cases rise in non-smokers
When NQ woman Rita Lowe was diagnosed with lung cancer, she said it was a shocking and “devastating” diagnosis, because she had never smoked before.
A North Queensland grandmother who never smoked has beaten lung cancer after doctors found a tumour following two years of unexplained symptoms.
“I had a CT scan and a biopsy just before Christmas last year and the lung specialist discovered a 5.5 centimetre tumour on my left lung,” she said.
The 72-year-old had been experiencing chest pain and a cough for two years leading up to her diagnosis in December 2024, ending years of questions and confusion.
“It was a devastating diagnosis, but also a relief to finally get an answer and to know that I wasn’t going crazy and there was a reason for my symptoms,” Mrs Lowe said.
Townsville Mater Hospital cardiothoracic surgeon associate professor Sumit Yadav said lung cancer cases in non smokers are continuing to grow.
“Around 9,000 people will lose their lives to lung cancer this year and more than 15,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease,” he said.
Mr Yadav said 20 percent of global lung cancer cases are of non smokers, with research revealing people exposed to passive smoking, air pollution, asbestos and radioactive material are at the biggest risk of developing the disease without smoking.
He said almost 85 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer daily will receive a late stage diagnosis.
“Unfortunately in the early stages there are often no symptoms or minimal symptoms for lung cancer, so by the time it’s diagnosed, sometimes it’s fairly advanced,” he said.
Throughout this Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, Mr Yadav and Townsville Mater have hoped to raise awareness of the disease, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.
After surgery to remove Mrs Lowe’s tumour and four months of chemotherapy, she is now cancer free and able to spend more time with her six grandchildren.
“I’m a bit breathless because I lost part of my lung, so I’m still adjusting, but I’m feeling ok,” she said.
Mr Yadav said he hopes Mrs Lowe’s story can inspire others to visit their doctor if they experience symptoms, including a persistent cough, chest pain, trouble breathing and swallowing, and shortness of breath.
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Originally published as Townsville surgeon’s warning as lung cancer cases rise in non-smokers
