When it comes to the highest cancer-related mortalities in India, lung cancer has emerged as the major health burden in the past couple of years. According to the Lancet Report, India accounted for 72,510 lung cancer cases and 66,279 deaths in 2020. This can be attributed to the rising air pollution levels and smoking. Some of the other emerging causes found out by the researchers across the globe are genetic mutation, urban lifestyle and demographic shifts. Even a recent study has highlighted that most lung cancer patients in Southeast Asia including India has never smoked and unique regional factors such as air pollution and genetic mutations are causing lung cancer even in non-smokers. To curb the rising prevalence of lung cancer, certain measures need to be taken such as stringent tobacco policy, management of air pollution and creating awareness towards early diagnosis when chest pain and protracted coughing occur.
How early detection can be beneficial in lung cancer management?
