Calgary West Central Primary Care Network

Detecting lung cancer in never-smokers

Aug 21, 2026

Detecting lung cancer in never-smokers

Aug 21, 2026

To assist physicians in recognizing the signs, symptoms, and risk factors for lung cancer, Cancer Care Alberta has added new content to their Community & Primary Care Provider website.

As the incidence of lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) is increasing, the updates include specific information about LCINS so it can be detected earlier.

LCINS is:

  • Often not diagnosed until it is advanced
  • Epidemiological and biologically distinct
  • More common in women than men
  • Fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in adults
  • Part of the 28 per cent of lung cancers in Canada that are not attributed to smoking

Review the specific information on LCINS