A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the European Medical Journal highlights a significant association between prior non-malignant lung diseases and an increased risk of lung cancer, even among individuals who have never smoked. The study, which analyzed 20 case-control and five cohort studies up to July 2025, found that a history of tuberculosis (TB) and chronic bronchitis (CB) were significantly associated with an elevated lung cancer risk in never-smokers. For TB, the pooled odds ratio was 1.76, and for chronic bronchitis, it was 1.36. While asthma showed a numerically increased risk, it did not reach statistical significance in all pooled analyses. Beyond never-smokers, extensive research corroborates these findings. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is recognized as an independent risk factor, with affected individuals up to five times more likely to develop lung cancer. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is also strongly linked, increasing lung cancer risk by 3.5 to 7.3 times, particularly in Asian populations, regardless of smoking status. Similarly, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis significantly heightens the risk of lung cancer. Proposed mechanisms include chronic inflammation, cellular and DNA damage, and genetic predispositions, which can accelerate the development of cancerous cells. These findings are globally relevant, given that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This underscores the critical need for increased awareness and potential targeted screening strategies for individuals with a history of chronic lung conditions.