Lung Cancer in Women: Breaking the "Smoker's Disease" Myth with Estelamari Rodriguez, MD

In this interview with Targeted Oncology managing editor Sabrina Serani, Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, hematologist-oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the rapidly changing face of lung cancer, particularly among women who have never smoked.

Dr Rodriguez explains that lung cancer is no longer the "smoker's disease" it was once perceived to be, with a growing population of young, never-smoking women being diagnosed. She points to a mix of biological and social factors driving this shift, including secondhand smoke, pollution, and occupational exposures. Perhaps most concerning, she notes that many women face significant diagnostic delays because common symptoms like back pain and headaches are too often dismissed.

The conversation turns to patient advocacy, with Dr Rodriguez emphasizing that biomarker testing should be a top priority for anyone newly diagnosed with lung cancer. She also encourages patients—especially women, who may feel hesitant to "hurt feelings"—to seek second opinions and ask more questions about treatment options and side effects. She stresses that treatment decisions should be a shared process between doctor and patient, factoring in each person's goals and lifestyle.

Dr Rodriguez also works to dispel damaging misconceptions, including the belief that a lung cancer diagnosis is a hopeless one. She shares encouraging data on long-term survival for patients with certain driver mutations, as well as improved outcomes from immunotherapy for those without them, underscoring that patients shouldn't count themselves out of clinical trials or treatment options.

Finally, she makes the case for expanding lung cancer screening eligibility, noting that current guidelines can overlook at-risk groups, including women and African American patients, who may develop lung cancer with a lighter smoking history than current criteria account for.

Watch the full interview for more insights on advocating for women with lung cancer.