Lung cancer due to radon gas, how does the disease manifest?

From the age of 50, one of the most feared malignant tumors may manifest in us, lung cancer. In other cases, however, it may come earlier or later, but in most cases, it usually occurs in the fifties. And considering that it is one of the worst diseases we can suffer from, shouldn’t we be concerned about its causes? Especially knowing that the second leading cause of lung cancers is radon gas.

This gas is an almost undetectable substance that is present in many Spanish homes. Normally, the population concerns itself with malignant lung tumors considering the effects of tobacco, both in smokers and non-smokers, as it is the main cause of the ailment. But it is not specific jobs or pollution that are the next cause of the disease, but radon gas, so we have to be prepared for it if we are in a risk area.

How do the first symptoms of lung cancer due to radon gas manifest? They tend to appear in males from the age of 50, although there is an 11% of cases in people younger than that age and a 22% in women. Normally, patients who suffer from this disease usually realize it after a stubborn pulmonary infection. That is a key moment to know if the ailment could have been contracted.

The problem is that many people think that if they are non-smokers, there is no risk of this malignant tumor appearing. Nothing could be further from reality. According to a study by the medical consultancy Small Cell, high concentrations of radon gas can easily cause lung cancer in non-smokers.

The problem is that diagnosis is made when the cancer is already in the metastatic phase. What does this mean? Basically, that it is already spread and will require treatment. Data can also be looked at to take into account the influence of radon gas. According to the same study by Small Cell, 113 cases in Galicia -the most affected region- were analyzed and of those, up to 63 had an effect from this gas. Although it is true that in many cases the problem was a combination of radon gas and the influence of tobacco consumption.

What is radon gas and how does it cause lung cancer?

Radon gas is a colorless and odorless gas that is almost impossible to detect, generated in the ground of many homes in our country, especially those with basements. It can filter throughout the house and cause real health problems. As reported by the World Health Organization, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancers.

The only way to know if we live in a property affected by radon is with special detectors, which regional authorities can currently provide in places on the radon map, which explains the areas in Spain where the gas concentrates. The most affected region is Galicia, where it is estimated that two out of three municipalities have some case of radon in their area.

The best way to combat radon gas and avoid complications from lung cancer is to install ventilation systems in the home that renew the air, in addition to improving the sealing of buildings, with better conditioning of windows and doors to avoid gas infiltration.

Having a home in an area affected by radon gas does not mean that we should forget about that property, but we do need to take extra precautions.

How have we come to this situation due to lack of air renewal?

The problem of radon gas is not the fault of those who own a property affected by this poison, but it is a shame that this situation has arisen in Spain when this conflict was already known. This is explained by the director of the radon research group at the University of Cantabria, Luis Santiago Quindós. According to him, the harmful effects of radon gas have been known for 40 years. The problem has been a lack of awareness and minimal regulation.

According to Quindós, the problem has been that builders have never prioritized maximizing the safety of homes regarding this gas, and instead opted to cut costs. A situation that could have been avoided and that hasn’t been put on everyone’s lips until the European Union took action and forced community regulations. Since this year, all areas affected by radon gas can have free detectors and assistance is provided to those who may be affected.

However, many cases of lung cancer due to radon gas could have been avoided. A poison that affects any home with poor ventilation, regardless of whether it is made of granite or is newly constructed, two of the myths about this poison that infiltrates our homes.