People with lung cancer often have related respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma. Although the prevalence of asthma (how common it is) is much higher than that of lung cancer, the two conditions share features. This finding has led some people to wonder if having one lung disease might increase the risk of developing another.

Several studies have found that people with asthma may face a higher risk of developing lung cancer — particularly among certain groups and when asthma isn’t well controlled. But having asthma doesn’t mean you’ll develop lung cancer. Understanding what contributes to asthma and how to manage it effectively can help lower your risk.

Who Is Most Likely To Have Asthma?

Asthma affects about 1 in every 13 people in the United States. It is also the most commonly diagnosed long-term condition in children. People with asthma have trouble breathing because their airways become narrow and inflamed. If asthma is not treated, it can be life-threatening.

Some people have certain triggers that bring on their symptoms. Others are born with asthma and may have genes that increase their risk. Several factors can increase the risk of developing asthma:

• Allergies — Dust, mold, or pollen can irritate the lungs and trigger an asthma flare-up.
• Air pollution — Living or working in an area with high pollution increases asthma risk.
• Family history — Having a parent with asthma makes someone three to six times more likely to develop it.
• Higher body weight — Having a higher body weight may increase inflammation throughout the body, boosting the chances of asthma.
• Smoking — Smoking or breathing in secondhand smoke damages the lungs and irritates the airways.

Some people also develop asthma symptoms in response to stressors like heavy exercise or a respiratory infection.

What Does Asthma Feel Like?

Asthma symptoms can be different for everyone. Some people have mild symptoms often, like wheezing, while others may have sudden, severe asthma attacks that require emergency care. Many people describe asthma as feeling like trying to breathe through a narrow straw.

Common symptoms include:

• Breathing too fast or too slow
• Feeling tightness in the chest
• Coughing
• Having trouble catching your breath
• Waking up at night because of breathing problems
• Wheezing
• Getting tired easily

Because lung cancer and asthma both affect the lungs, they can have similar symptoms. For example, both can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. This can make it easy to confuse one condition for the other. People with asthma may not notice new or different symptoms of lung cancer because they might assume their asthma is causing the problem.

Members of MyLungCancerTeam have talked about this confusion:

“I’ve had a cough for three years,” one member shared. “My doctors said it was allergies, then asthma, and when I got a new doctor after three years of coughing, he took an X-ray, which led to a CT scan, PET scan, biopsy, and confirmation of stage 3A lung cancer. I still cough every day. It is a dry cough that sometimes leads to episodes, so I use an inhaler. I also use cough medicine and cough drops.”

What’s the Underlying Issue in Both Conditions?

Inflammation is a key factor in both lung cancer and asthma. In both conditions, inflammation in the lungs worsens symptoms and can make the disease progress. People who have ongoing inflammation of the lungs — such as those who smoke or have uncontrolled asthma — have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

Research has found that 25 percent of all cancer cases may be linked to chronic infection or inflammation. Overall, people with asthma have about a 44 percent higher chance of developing lung cancer than people without asthma. Women with asthma may be at an especially higher risk of lung cancer development, regardless of their smoking status.

Chronic lung inflammation causes stress and damage to the lungs. This damage is directly linked to the development of cancer cells in the lungs. People with more severe asthma are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer than those with less severe asthma. In addition, keeping asthma symptoms under control with medication and lifestyle changes can help lower the associated lung cancer risk.

How Can You Manage Your Risk?

There’s no cure for asthma, but managing your symptoms well can have a protective effect on your lungs. Your doctor can work with you on a treatment plan for ongoing asthma management. You may need to adjust the plan when your symptoms are worse, such as during allergy season or when you get a cold. Having an emergency plan is important for anyone with asthma.

Some members of MyLungCancerTeam have shared stories about having asthma attacks. “Six months after my lobectomy, I’m getting back to my former stamina,” said one member. “But the summer’s persistent air pollution from fires hasn’t helped. I had a scare yesterday when I went to an indoor swimming pool. A woman in the locker room ignored the signs and used a crazy amount of hair spray. That induced an unusual full-blown asthma attack in me.”

Asthma is often managed with a mix of short-term medication and long-acting treatments. Oral corticosteroids (steroids) or inhaled corticosteroids can also help control symptoms over time. Short-acting bronchodilators (rescue inhalers) are commonly used for immediate symptom relief.

Longer-term management may include allergy shots, long-acting inhalers, and medications that reduce swelling and help regulate the immune system.

If you know what triggers your asthma symptoms, you may be able to prevent flare-ups. For example, you might avoid exercising in cold weather or gardening when pollen levels are high if those activities trigger your symptoms.

If you’re worried about the risk of lung cancer, follow up with your health care provider. Although asthma has been linked to lung cancer, people who have asthma alone (and no history of smoking) are not usually recommended for lung cancer screening.

Still, it’s important to tell your doctor about any new or changing symptoms and explain your concerns. Keeping asthma and chronic inflammation under control may help lower your risk of developing other health problems later on.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyLungCancerTeam people share their experiences with lung cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Did you get an asthma diagnosis before or after lung cancer? Let others know in the comments below.