While lung cancer rates have declined nationally, Asian American women are experiencing a troubling rise. Since 2006, their lung cancer rates have increased by 2% annually, and more than half of those diagnosed have never smoked. “They are developing lung cancer, and we don’t know why,” said Dr. Gina Villani, chief of oncology and hematology at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.
One possible explanation lies in a gene mutation. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, which causes uncontrolled cell growth, is found in 60% to 74% of nonsmoking East Asian women with lung cancer. “We need to find a gene to hang our hat on,” Dr. Villani said, noting that EGFR mutations are not inherited but acquired.
Current screening guidelines focus on smoking history, leaving non-smokers—especially Asian American women—without clear pathways to early detection. “We do not have any guidelines for how to screen these women,” Dr. Villani explained. She encourages participation in clinical trials to help build a risk profile and improve screening strategies.
Environmental exposures like secondhand smoke, radon, and air pollution may also play a role, but more research is needed. Meanwhile, targeted therapies for EGFR-positive lung cancer offer hope. Oral medications can block the mutation’s effects and are now used even in early-stage cases to prevent recurrence.
“We have come a long way in terms of treatment,” Dr. Villani said. “But we need more data to get answers.”
See: “Why More Asian-American Women Are Being Diagnosed with Lung Cancer” (May 8, 2024)
