Risk factors for developing ROS1+ NSCLC
Smoking and being exposed to second-hand smoke are some of the most well-known causes of lung cancer.8 But a lot of people who develop ROS1+ NSCLC have never smoked, or only smoked a little, in the past.5,6
Developing lung cancer when you have little or no smoking history can be extremely frustrating, and you might find yourself looking for answers as to why you have developed lung cancer at all.
Right now, we don’t know exactly why some people develop a change in their ROS1 gene. But we do know that there are some factors that can cause lung cancers generally to start growing. However, it’s important to note that for some people, there may be no obvious reason as to why they have developed ROS1+ NSCLC.
Exposure to inhaled or eaten/drunk substances such as:
- Asbestos9
- Arsenic9
- Non-tobacco smoke (e.g. burning buildings and wildfires, which may contain traces of metals and other substances that can cause cancer)9
- Diesel exhaust9
- Metals such as chromium, beryllium, and nickel (you might be exposed to these if you work with car engines, or around smelting or welding, for example)9
- Pollution in the atmosphere around us10
Radiation exposure from:
- X-rays, CT scans11
- Radiotherapy to the chest area12
- Radon exposure13
- Radioactive fallout14
Family history
- Inheritance isn’t guaranteed, but some people with a family history of lung cancer are more likely to develop it than people with no family history15
HIV infection
- People who have HIV are up to three times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who don’t have it16,17