The Lung Cancer Risk That Could Be Hiding in Canadian Homes ⋆ Canadian Family .net

By Kike Adeleye, RN, MN

If you don’t smoke, how often do you think about your risk of developing lung cancer?

Until recently, I probably would not have given it much thought. I am not a smoker, and like many people, I have long associated lung cancer primarily with cigarette smoking. Then I learned something that stopped me in my tracks: Long term exposure to high levels of radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke.

Radon? The invisible gas that could be present inside our homes? I was surprised. And as I learned more, I realized this is a conversation more Canadian families need to have.

August 1 is World Lung Cancer Day, making it an important opportunity to talk not only about lung cancer, but also about the risks we can do something about.

Why Should Canadians Care About Lung Cancer?

Lung and bronchus cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. It is also the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, approximately 32,900 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer and 19,300 will die from it. That works out to about 90 diagnoses and 53 deaths every day.

The five-year net survival for lung cancer in Canada is approximately 27%, although outcomes vary considerably depending on factors such as the stage at diagnosis. Those numbers make awareness, prevention and early detection particularly important.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

But isn’t lung cancer mainly a smoker’s disease? Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, and avoiding tobacco is one of the most important things we can do to reduce our risk. But the strong association between smoking and lung cancer has created a misconception: If I don’t smoke, I don’t need to worry about lung cancer.

That isn’t true. People who have never smoked can and do develop lung cancer. Other risk factors include second hand smoke, occupational exposures, air pollution and exposure to certain substances such as asbestos.

And then there is radon. The lung cancer risk that may be inside your home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock.

You cannot see it.
You cannot smell it.
You cannot taste it.

Outdoors, radon is generally diluted to levels that are not concerning. But it can enter buildings through openings where the structure contacts the ground and accumulates indoors. When radon is inhaled, radioactive particles can become lodged in the lungs, where they can damage lung cells over time.

Health Canada identifies long term exposure to high levels of radon as the number one cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke. It is also estimated to contribute to about 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths each year.

And here is another statistic Canadian families should know: Recent Canadian research estimates that approximately 1 in 5 homes in Canada has radon levels at or above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³. You cannot determine your home’s radon level based on how new it is, how clean it is or simply where you live. There is only one way to know: Test your home.

Source: Health Canada

What Can Families do About Radon?

Health Canada recommends long term radon testing because radon concentrations can fluctuate. A long-term detector can be placed in the lowest level of your home where you regularly spend time, following the test manufacturer’s instructions.

Health Canada recommends testing for at least three months, ideally during the Fall and Winter heating season. If the average radon concentration is above Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³, action should be taken to reduce the level.

The reassuring part is that high radon levels can be reduced. If your home has elevated radon levels, you don’t have to figure out the next steps alone. A radon mitigation professional certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) can assess your home and recommend ways to reduce radon exposure. To find a certified professional, call C-NRPP at 1-855-722-6777 or visit the Take Action on Radon website.

Knowing your home’s radon level gives you the opportunity to act.

Know the Warning Signs of Lung Cancer

Prevention is important, but so is recognizing potential symptoms. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer can include:

• A cough that gets worse or does not go away
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Persistent chest pain
• Blood in mucus that is coughed up
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness or other voice changes

Having one of these symptoms does not mean you have lung cancer. Many can be caused by other conditions, but persistent or concerning symptoms deserve medical attention.

What about Lung Cancer Screening?

Screening is different from investigating symptoms. It is intended to look for cancer in people who do not have symptoms but are at increased risk. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends lung cancer screening with a low dose CT (computed tomography) scan for people between 55 and 74 years of age who currently smoke or previously smoked. Screening programs and eligibility criteria can vary across Canada, so people concerned about their risk should speak with a healthcare provider about whether screening is appropriate for them.

If you already have symptoms that could suggest lung cancer, don’t wait for routine screening. Speak with a healthcare provider.

This World Lung Cancer Day, Think Beyond Smoking

Smoking prevention and cessation remain essential to reducing lung cancer. But our conversation about lung cancer cannot end there.

As someone who does not smoke, learning about radon changed the way I think about lung cancer prevention. It reminded me that sometimes the health risks we don’t know about are the ones we never think to address.

So, this August 1, on World Lung Cancer Day, perhaps there is one more question Canadian families can add to their conversations about creating a healthy home: Have we tested our home for radon? Because you don’t have to smoke to be at risk for lung cancer.

And unlike many things we cannot control, radon exposure is a risk we can identify and take steps to reduce. Awareness is a good place to start. Action is even better.

References:
1. Canadian Cancer Society. Who should be screened for cancer. 2026.
2. Canadian Cancer Society. Lung and bronchus cancer statistics. 2026
3. Canadian Lung Association. Radon: What you need to know. 2026
4. Government of Canada. Health Canada. About Radon. 2025

Author Bio
Kike Adeleye, RN, MN, is a medicine unit manager with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Beyond her healthcare leadership role, she is passionate about translating oncology evidence into accessible insights that support cancer awareness, patient care, and public health education. She writes regularly about cancer care, prevention, and survivorship on LinkedIn.