Did Rush Limbaugh Smoke? And Why That's Not the Most Important Question about Lung Cancer

Limbaugh was, however, a known cigar smoker. Smoking is one of the main risk factors of lung cancer, but it’s not the only one. Up to 20% of people who die from lung cancer have never smoked. “According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 20 percent of people in the United States who died from lung cancer in 2018a total of roughly 30,000 peoplenever smoked,” reported Yale Medicine.

Dr. Patrick Forde, Director of Thoracic Oncology Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, says in a previous interview that there have been studies looking at using low-dose CT scans to try to pick up cancer at an earlier stage in people who have a history of smoking. People who have smoked may want to get screened for this disease.

https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/1362170692352020484

 

Rush’s Cancer Battle

Limbaugh shared his lung cancer diagnosis in early 2020, telling listeners and the world that he had advanced lung cancer. Limbaugh said on his show, "Stage 4 is, as they say, terminal…it's tough to realize that the days where I do not think I'm under a death sentence are over. We all know that we're going to die at some point. But when you have a terminal disease diagnosis that has a time frame to it, then that puts a different psychological and even physical awareness to it."

Related: New Rush Limbaugh Update: Staff is "Praying for a Remission" As Radio Host Battle Advanced Lung Cancer and Skips Show Taping Amid Treatment

When Limbaugh got his lung cancer diagnosis in February 2020, the cancer had already spread to different parts of his body beyond the lungs. Stage four cancer is typically treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Limbaugh traveled to receive treatment for his cancer (he was able to travel amid lockdown orders due to his media status).

What Late Stage Lung Cancer Patients Should Know About Immunotherapy During Coronavirus

Smoking & Lung Cancer

While smoking is not the only reason someone may get lung cancer, it is a primary one. In 2021, we’re all now well aware of the dangers posed by smoking cigarettes, cigars, and other substances.

Related: Princess Margaret Had Lung Biopsy in 1985 to Check For Cancer After Smoking Heavily For Years; It's Important to Be Proactive

About 10 to 15 percent of smokers develop lung cancer, says Reuters. Other smokers may pass from smoking-related causes, such as heart disease or stroke or emphysema. If you’re a smoker, quitting is in the best interest of your health, and prolonging relationships with your family and loved ones. Quitting is incredibly tough, but resources like cessation aids (nicotine gum, for example), therapy, addiction specialists, hypnosis, and more, are available to help.

Take it From a Guy Who Looks at Diseased Lungs Every Day Stop Smoking

Lung Cancer Screening

If you are currently a smoker or have ever smoked in the past, it’s advisable to get screened for lung cancer.  Dr. Patrick Forde says in an earlier interview, "About 70% to 80% of patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer, unfortunately, the cancer has spread outside of the lung and is not suitable for surgery," Dr. Forde says. "And there have been a number of studies … which looked at doing CT scans for patients who are over the age of 55 and had a significant smoking history for many years and then monitoring them on a regular basis with a low dose CT of the chest.”

“And they were able to show a reduction in the numbers of lung cancers which had spread outside of the chest. They were able to pick them up in earlier stage and potentially cure them at a higher rate than not doing screening."

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.