Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer highlights growing number of nonsmokers diagnosed with the disease – and younger people too

While lung cancer rates have decreased by 43% in men, they have risen by 79% in women. Broader screening guidelines and recognizing early symptoms can help address the changing face of lung cancer.

By: Estelamari Rodriguez, University of Miami, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 14, 2026

Words: 1,140

Last Updated: 3 days, 22 hours ago

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By Estelamari Rodriguez, University of Miami

When many people think of an average lung cancer patient, they often imagine an older man smoking. But the face of lung cancer has changed. Over the past 15 years, more women, never smokers and younger people are being diagnosed with lung cancer.

In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, and more women die from lung cancer than breast, ovarian and …

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