Written By: Muskan Gupta | Published : August 1, 2025 2:00 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr. Vinayak Maka, Consultant - Dept. of Medical Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital
Today the very rhythm of our life, every breath, is threatened by lung cancer. A staggering 2.5 million individuals were diagnosed globally in 2022. According to the Indian Journal of Medical Research, India has a growing concern, with projections estimating an increase to over 81,219 cases amongst males and 30,109 in females in 2025. The most concerning fact is that the mean age of diagnosis in India is the mid-50s.
Dr Vinayak Maka, Consultant - Dept. of Medical Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, says, "The most frequent cause is smoking, responsible for more than 70 per cent of cases and 90 per cent of diagnoses. Tobacco smoke harbours more than 60 carcinogens, and risk is directly proportional to the intensity of smoking."
"The world's second-largest consumer of tobacco is India, which has 267 million consumers of tobacco, and tobacco is responsible for 27 per cent of all cancers," he added.
For all causes except tobacco, environmental and occupational risk factors are important:
The sly nature of lung cancer usually results in late detection since presenting signs mimic familiar diseases. Symptoms that are recurring need to be addressed:
Staging directs treatment and prognosis. Lung cancer is classified as:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): This is the type of lung cancer, and it is more prevalent and, in general, grows slower compared to other types of lung cancer.It is usually formed in the periphery of the lungs, and it may not produce easily noticeable symptoms during the initial stages.More often, it is detected at an early stage, particularly in non-smoking people.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):Unlike other types of lung cancer, SCLC is less prevalent but very aggressive since it has the ability to grow very fast and spread to other body parts like the brain, liver, and bones within a short period.SCLC is also diagnosed at the later stages since it is a more aggressive type.
With accurate staging, one can begin with palliative treatment, as most Indian lung cancer cases are identified at advanced stages.
Any new, persistent, or worsening symptom with risk factors must be evaluated by a physician. "Red flag" symptoms are coughing up blood, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain with no other cause, unintended weight loss, and swelling of the face or neck. LDCT screening for lung cancer has been found to lower death by 20%.
Some lung cancer prevention must be done. This may be giving up smoking, avoiding passive smoking, reducing exposure to carcinogens (e.g., radon), and having a healthy diet, including restricted ultra-processed food. Adequate interaction with the healthcare teams and desistance from the stigma that lung cancer is a "smoker's disease" are also required to enhance outcomes.
Educating people regarding lung cancer signs, symptoms, and risk factors is important. Early detection in the early stages and early health check-ups can make a huge difference in the course of the disease. Emphasising lung health promotion, prevention promotion, and research promotion are basic steps to a world with less lung cancer aggression because every breath matters.
Prevention includes quitting smoking, avoiding exposure to carcinogens, and regular check-ups. Early detection can be achieved through low-dose CT scans for high-risk individuals.
The main causes include smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, occupational hazards (like asbestos), and genetic factors.
