What were the odds? I am a 31 year old fairly fit non smoker. I work in a office and grew up in a smoke free environment.

[goobernibbler]

I cannot see any reasons to contribute to my risk increasing for lung cancer so why do i have it? Sorry that this is a very selfish question but i wanted to know how many other people in the country or even the world would be in the same possition that i find myself in.

[LorraineD Partner Roy Castle]

Hello GM

I am really sorry to hear about your situation. Your questions about why and how you find yourself in this awful situation are understandable. I am sure other members of the forum will reply. 10% of people with a diagnosis will never have smoked. That means over 4,000 non-smokers per year in the UK. Our website has some information regarding statistics and Answering Your Questions booklet may be of use.

best wishes

Lorraine on behalf of the Information & Support Team

[Billculbard]

Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear this, but you'll be surprised at just how many folk - even on this site - have lung cancer but never smoked. Personally, I did smoke and stopped a couple of years before I got cancer. Smoking didn't necessarily cause It, but probably did.

I can't give you the right answer, but speaking with your CNS or with others on this site or in the Foundation, can help understand it.

Best wishes, Bill

[suesal123]

I too am a life long non smoker who has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. As the others say smoking increases the odds but it doesn't mean you can't get it if you didn't smoke? I know it seems unfair but so are all other types of cancer.

Have you been tested for EGFR mutation as they are more common in non smoking women?

Sue xx

[goobernibbler in reply to suesal123]

Thanks for all your information and I am male by the way. I just feel to young to have been diagnosed with this and am struggling somewhat with the "why me?" Question. I guess everyone goes through this I just want to get past that point. Thank you for the replys.

[Hidden]

Hello, dont think you are being selfish by asking such a question. I too find myself asking the very same question many times over. I have been diagnosed with non operable, Stage 4 cancer and am a female non smoker, before I was diagnosed I went to the gym 5 days a week and ran half marathons. Both my parents are non smokers and I never frequented smoking environments. I've just put it down now to terrible bad luck. I find myself on a roller coaster ride now, some days better than others. There is so much that can be done to help cancer suffers now which allows me to remain positive. This site is also a great source of strength. Stay in contact with the site, it really does help.

Regards, Tallulah

[Joewarren]

There is nothing selfish about asking "why me" that is only human, I also am a life long non smoker diagnosed at stage 4 lung cancer 12 months ago. I can only tell you that for the first few months it is all as a dream sequence that you feel can't possibly be happening but eventually you start to think "ok so what can be done, what can I do". It may be hard to believe at the moment but never give up hope, they find new things everyday and we are in so much better a position than those diagnosed 20-30 years ago. I never thought that a year down the track I would even be here, let alone still feel quite well. I am on oral chemotherapy known as Iressa, and as a previous blogger said you do need to know if you are EGFR+ for this drug to be of use to you. If you are not, there are other drugs out there and intravenous chemo therapies etc, all of which I am sure will be discussed with you at clinic appointments. You are not out of options yet, you have to just keep focussed on that. There are plenty of people out there still surviving years after their diagnosis that give us all hope

take care

Joewarren

[Falv]

I'm in a similar situation. Diagnosed less than two weeks ago with inoperable lung cancer. I'm 39 and have never smoked, lived in a smoky environment or worked in any toxic environments. It certainly seems incredibly unfair. Still in the "can't believe this is happening to me" phase. Feel like I'm watching someone else's life on a soap opera. Treatment starts this week. It's awful really but helpful to know it's not just me. Sarah

[goobernibbler in reply to Falv]

I can completely sympathise with your feelings on watching someone else's life. I feel almost exactly the same. It's like a weird dream in which it is happening to someone else. Best of luck with your treatment, I have so far had one lot of chemo which was a combined dose. After effects were not too bad but the treatment was 9 hrs and made for a really long day. Think positive as I'm sure it has to be the biggest weapon in your arsenal.

[justkeepswimming]

I still can't believe it has happened to me either.

I'm 33 with two young children. I was dx Feb this year and I am 11 weeks out after surgery to remove my upper right lobe. I was lucky enough to have caught it early and the surgery has got it all out, with no further treatment required for now.

But still, this isn't meant to happen to us at this age xxx

[Lifesab]

Hello. My only additional comment is that if you have never smoked or been associated with a smoking environment then, hopefully, you will be in a better position physically once the treatment begins.

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in Jan 2012 and underwent 6 weeks of radio / chemotherapy. As always, tests have been conducted in the ensuing weeks and months culminating in my consultant informing me earlier this year that the core of the tumour remained and surgery was the only option. My left lung was totally removed on the 23rd of May. I start a 3 month course of chemo next week....

My consultant says I have been unlucky. I return to my first point - being healthy in the first place has seen me through the last 18 months. In some respects, I feel quite lucky when I recall some of the cancer sufferers I have met during my trials and tribulations.

Stay strong.