A Summary of the 2025 Lung Cancer Summit at Stanford University: Understanding Lung Cancer in People Who Have Never Smoked

Abstract

In the United States, lung cancer remains the second most common cancer and leading cause of cancer mortality among both men and women. Globally, lung cancer in never smokers (LCINS), defined as individuals who have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, makes up between one-quarter and one-third of lung cancer deaths, which if categorized as a distinct entity would represent the fifth most common cause of cancer death worldwide.  Despite this individual and societal burden, recognition of the problem amongst medical providers remains inadequate, standardized screening guidelines are lacking, and further therapeutic developments are needed. Therefore, further awareness of and attention to LCINS remains as area of unmet need, which this Summit aimed to address.