What to know about lung cancer after Pope Leo’s diagnosis

Photo by TIZIANA FABI / AFP via Getty Images

Oct 14, 2026

After Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican announced that he had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer du poumon. Reports say his cancer was found early, before it spread to other parts of the body, and the surgery was completed successfully.

This news about the leader of the Catholic Church is shining a light on lung cancer—a cancer that continues to be highly stigmatized and has the lowest screening rates of any routine cancer screening.

Despite its link to cigarette smoking, lung cancer is not limited to people who smoke—anyone can get lung cancer. Here’s what you need to know.

Symptômes

There are usually no symptoms of lung cancer in early stages. When present, some people experience symptoms that can include:

Une toux qui ne disparaît pas ou qui s'aggrave
Tousser du sang
Constant or intermittent and unexplained chest pain
Pneumonie ou bronchite à répétition
Perte de poids et perte d'appétit
Enrouement qui dure longtemps
Une respiration sifflante ou un essoufflement
Se sentir très fatigué tout le temps

Talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Dépistage

Lung cancer screening is currently limited to people who are at increased risk due to a history of smoking cigarettes. If you smoke cigarettes or used to smoke cigarettes, talk to your doctor about getting screened with a low-dose CT scan, an easy and painless screening procedure. Low-dose CT scans are fast and utilize up to 90% less radiation than traditional CT scans.

Lung cancer screening is recommended for people ages 50-80 who have at least a 20 historique de l'année pack of smoking cigarettes.

Traitement

Treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tumor cells, the stage of the cancer, the presence or absence of certain proteins or genetic mutations, and your medical condition.

Treatment options can include surgery (the usual treatment for early stages of lung cancer), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Qui court un risque accru ?

Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of lung cancer; about 80-90% of lung cancer deaths are linked to cigarette smoking. But it is not the only factor that increases your risk. It is important to be aware of all your personal risk factors and to discuss them with your health care provider.

Vous courez un risque accru de cancer du poumon si vous :

Smoke or have a history of smoking—even if you quit a long time ago.
Avoir été fortement exposé à la fumée secondaire.
Ont été exposés à la pollution de l’air intérieur ou extérieur.
Avoir exercé un travail exposé à des radiations.
Ont été exposés à certaines substances toxiques, comme l’arsenic, le radon ou l’amiante.
avez des antécédents personnels ou familiaux de cancer du poumon.

Comment puis-je réduire mon risque ?

It’s important to understand that even if you are engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as smoking, no one deserves lung cancer. If you smoke or used to smoke, the most important thing is to talk to your health care provider so you can get screened and have the best chance at a healthy future.

It’s never too late to quit. Quitting smoking has near-immediate benefits to your cancer risk and overall health.

You may also reduce your risk of lung cancer through these lifestyle-related modifications:

Avoid all forms of tobacco.
Éloignez-vous de la fumée secondaire.
Mangez beaucoup de fruits et légumes.
Consult with your health care provider before taking any supplements.
Rendez votre maison et votre communauté sans fumée.
Testez votre maison pour le radon.

Remember, anyone can get lung cancer, but Early Detection = Better Outcomes. Know your risk factors and talk to your health care provider about what you can do to stay ahead of lung cancer.

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Find out what other screenings you may need pour vérifier votre état de santé.