How to talk with your family about lung cancer, risk, and screening

Lung cancer probably isn’t something that comes up often around the dinner table. But talking about it with the people you love can help them protect their health, and potentially catch lung cancer earlier. Lung cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, when it is often treatable. The people around you may not know there is anything to ask about. That’s why it's important to know your own risk facts and talk with the people in your life who should also know if they’re at risk.

You don’t need to be an expert to talk about lung cancer with your loved ones, and you don’t need to have answers. But it’s important to start a conversation. So, how should you broach the topic of lung cancer?

We’ve put together sample questions to help you start a conversation with the people around you about lung cancer, risk, and screening. The prompts below build on one another, so you can ask them around the dinner table or on a walk as the conversation unfolds.

What to ask: “Did you know there are lots of risk factors for lung cancer?”

Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Smoking history is a major risk factor, and there are many others, including family history and exposure to radon, air pollution, asbestos, and wildfire smoke. Up to 20% of lung cancer deaths occur in people who have never smoked. Some people have no clear risk factor at all.

Persistent cough, chest pain, and wheezing are examples of symptoms of lung cancer. However, many people experience no symptoms, especially in the early stages of lung cancer, which is why screening is so important. See a list of symptoms here.

If it helps, follow up with: “Has anyone in our family had cancer? What kind, and how old were they?” That’s useful information for anyone to share with their healthcare provider.

What to ask: “What do you know about radon?”

Most people have never heard of radon, so it helps to start there. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is released from rocks, soil, or water and can build up in the air of homes and buildings. Over time, breathing high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and the EPA estimates it causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. 

You can next ask: “Have we ever tested our home?” Testing is the only way to know if your home, school, or workplace has high radon levels. If testing finds a radon problem, a qualified contractor can help fix it. Read the EPA’s guide to radon. 

What to ask: “Did you know lung cancer can be found early, and that it’s often treatable when it is?”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, in part because it is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited. Nearly three-quarters of lung cancer diagnoses occur when the disease has already spread, when five-year survival is 10%. However, when lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, five-year survival jumps to 65%. 

There is real progress, too: the overall five-year survival rate has gone from 18% to nearly 30% in eight years, according to the American Lung Association. This increasing survival rate is due in part to more early detection and better treatments.

What to ask: “What do you know about lung cancer screening?”

Screening uses a special type of x-ray called a low-dose CT scan, which looks at the lungs and is quick and painless. It’s currently recommended for people at higher risk based on age and smoking history. However, there are efforts to broaden screening guidelines based on updated findings about risk factors beyond smoking history.

You might follow up with: “Has your doctor ever talked with you about lung cancer screening?” This is a good question for the loved ones 50 years and older in your life, especially if you know they have a history of smoking. If the answer is no, or they’re not sure, you might add: “Would it help if I came to your next primary care appointment and asked about it?” Offering to go along turns a worry into a plan.

What to ask: “Do you feel comfortable telling your doctor about your smoking history? Why or why not? What would make that easier?”

Doctors need a person’s full health history to give good guidance, but embarrassment or fear of judgment can make that hard to share. This is a question for someone with a smoking history, asked with care and without judgment. If it doesn’t apply to the person you’re talking with, skip to the next one.

What to ask: “If I told you a friend was diagnosed with lung cancer, what would you say? Why?”

Often, the first thing people are asked after a diagnosis is whether they smoked. People with lung cancer often face unfair blame and judgment because of the belief that they brought the disease on themselves. Because society frequently links lung cancer directly to smoking, many people wrongly see the disease as self-inflicted instead of as a complex medical condition that deserves compassion and care. Everyone with lung cancer deserves the same compassion, whatever their history. We should examine the instinct to ask first about smoking and reflect on how we might respond differently when someone shares hard news. A more helpful question might be “How are you?” or “How can I help?”

What to ask: Do you feel comfortable talking about health together? Why or why not?

Sometimes the most useful conversation isn’t about lung cancer specifically. It’s about making it easier to talk about health before there’s a problem. Here are a few gentle ways to get the conversation going:

• Go first. Share a small health update of your own, like a checkup you finally booked. It tells people that talking about health is ordinary and safe. “I just scheduled my annual physical. When was your last one?”
• Start small and casual. A car ride or a walk works better than waiting for a crisis. “Is there anything about our family’s health I should know about?”
• Use “I” statements. Frame it around care, not blame. “I’ve noticed you seem more tired lately, and I’m a little worried.” The American Heart Association has more tips on raising concerns with compassion.
• Ask the “what if” question. “If I ever had a cough that wouldn’t go away, would you want me to tell you?”
• Open the door for yourself. “I’m getting to the age where I should ask my doctor about certain screenings. Do you want to look into it together?”
• Listen more than you fix. People often need to feel heard before they want advice. Let them set the pace, and don’t take it personally if they change the subject.

A few tips before you start

You don’t have to cover everything in one sitting. One kind question is a success. If a conversation gets tense, pause it and come back later. If someone would rather not talk about it, let them know you’re there whenever they’re ready.

These conversations don’t replace medical advice. A doctor can tell you whether lung cancer screening is right for you or someone you love.

Why we’re sharing this

The Susan Wojcicki Foundation was founded after former YouTube CEO and mom of five Susan Wojcicki passed away from lung cancer in 2024 at age 56. Our work spans screening, detection, prevention, and education because we believe more people should have the information and the confidence to ask these questions sooner. A conversation at your own table is one of the most powerful places to begin.

Take these starters to your next family meal, and explore our blog for more ways to learn about lung cancer, risk, and screening.