Big Bang Theory Star Kate Micucci Reveals Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Actress Kate Micucci, known for her role as Lucy on the CBS sitcom "Big Bang Theory," says she underwent surgery for lung cancer – despite having never smoked a cigarette in her life.
"Hey everybody, this is not a TikTok, it's a 'Sick Tok,'" Micucci said in a TikTok video she posted on Saturday. "I'm in the hospital but it's because I had lung cancer surgery yesterday."
"They caught it really early," she said. "It's really weird, because I've never smoked a cigarette in my life so, you know, it was a surprise." She said the "greatest news" is that the cancer was removed after its early detection. It's "all good," she said.
While smoking cigarettes is a major risk factor for developing lung cancer, abstaining from smoking doesn't necessarily rule it out. In the U.S., as many as 20% of people who die from lung cancer have never smoked or used other forms of tobacco, according to the American Cancer Society. For people who don't smoke but still get lung cancer, it can be one of the most fatal forms of the disease in the U.S.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, including exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon gas, and cancer-causing agents like asbestos. Changes in lung cells, known as gene mutations, can also lead to abnormal cell growth and potentially cancer.
While the association between smoking marijuana and an increased risk of lung cancer has been observed, further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term health effects of the substance, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.
The CDC reports that between 20,000 and 40,000 cases of lung cancer occur annually in individuals who do not smoke or have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes. Secondhand smoke is responsible for approximately 7,300 cases, while radon gas contributes to around 2,900 cases. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend lung cancer screening for individuals who have never smoked.
Regardless of smoking history, the symptoms of lung cancer tend to be similar, including feeling unwell, coughing up blood, experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, and wheezing, according to the CDC.
Treatment options for lung cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy using drugs to inhibit the spread of cancer cells, and surgical removal of cancerous tissue.
Tragic Loss: Dana Reeve's Death Linked to Secondhand Smoke Exposure
Dana Reeve, the wife of late actor Christopher Reeve, died in 2006 – less than two years after her husband – from lung cancer, despite being a nonsmoker. According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, secondhand smoke may have been the cause of her death, as Reeve was a singer who was exposed to smoke in the clubs where she performed.
Micucci, who is also a singer and visual artist, said in her video that she can't wait to paint again and expects to get back to it soon.
