Asian American women are getting lung cancer despite never smoking
Rising lung cancer rates among Asian American women who report never having smoked are prompting scrutiny of both environmental and statistical factors. Commenters explore possible contributors such as second-hand smoke from male family members, cooking oil fumes in poorly ventilated kitchens, air pollution, and prior exposures in countries of origin, while noting that Asian Americans also have low overall smoking rates and high life expectancy. Several point out that media coverage may misinterpret conditional statistics from the underlying studies, arguing that clearer incidence data and more granular breakdowns by ethnicity, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status are needed before drawing firm causal conclusions.
Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
- Several comments note low active smoking rates among Asian American women but much higher rates among men, suggesting household secondhand smoke as a major suspect.
- Others argue secondhand smoke alone is unlikely to explain a reported ~2.6x higher risk vs white women, given its modest relative-risk increase compared with active smoking.
- Some stress that many lung cancers occur in never-smokers; smoking is a strong risk factor but not deterministic.
Other Environmental and Household Exposures
- Radon, air pollution, asbestos, coal use, and traffic-related pollution (e.g., freeways through Chinatowns, LA air) are cited as plausible contributors.
- Multiple comments highlight indoor air quality: gas stoves without proper external ventilation, weak or recirculating range hoods, and heavy cooking fume exposure.
- Coal cooking, more common in Asia and among earlier immigrants, is mentioned.
- Incense burning and possibly toxic hair sprays are raised as additional, though unquantified, exposures.
Cooking Oils, Seed Oils, and Fumes
- A subthread focuses on fumes from high-heat cooking (e.g., stir-fry, “wok hei”), with one study on Chinese military cooks cited.
- Debate over seed oils (soybean, rapeseed/mustard, etc.): some argue they oxidize and produce more harmful compounds; others question the evidence or note similar oils are used in Europe.
- There is disagreement over whether seed oil concerns are exaggerated or even politically coded.
Statistics, Causality, and Article Critique
- Several commenters dissect the cited study and NBC chart, arguing the graph’s labeling of conditional probabilities is misleading.
- Points raised: high proportion of non-smokers among Asian women with lung cancer is expected given very low smoking prevalence; this does not by itself prove higher absolute incidence.
- Some suspect the trend might reflect aging demographics or regression to the mean rather than a new surge.
Culture, Demographics, and Speculation
- Comments discuss socioeconomic status, first-generation immigrant exposures, and long life expectancy potentially affecting who survives long enough to develop cancer.
- Some push back on stereotype-based explanations (secret smoking, incense, wok cooking) as outdated or overgeneralized.
- Fringe speculation links trends to recent COVID vaccination; this is asserted without supporting data and not widely endorsed.