Combating the problem of late detection in lung cancer through awareness
Also Read: ICMR set to bring in evidence-based norms for prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer
A global health challenge
Lung cancer remains one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, responsible for approximately one in five cancer-related deaths. According to recent health data, over 2 million people are diagnosed each year, and more than 1.8 million lose their lives to the disease. Unfortunately, a significant number of cases are not detected at an early stage, allowing it to progress to an advanced stage with limited and less effective treatment options. This late diagnosis is often due to a lack of public awareness about the risk factors, symptoms and the disease itself.
World Lung Cancer Day helps us bridge these gaps in knowledge, underscore the importance of early detection and diagnosis, and create awareness and understanding of the disease.
What causes lung cancer?
Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer. The risk increases with both the intensity and duration of smoking. In addition to lung cancer, smoking also contributes to stroke, heart disease, other chronic lung diseases and blocks in the blood vessels of the body. Smoking damages the inner lining cells of the air passages to the lungs, leading to changes that develop into cancer over time.
However, non smokers are not immune either. Several other risk factors can contribute to the development of lung cancer including second hand smoke exposure also known as passive smoking, radon gas and asbestos exposure, air pollution in cities and industrial areas, occupational hazards (such as exposure to construction, mining or manufacturing industries) and genetic predisposition in people with a family history of lung cancer. Hence environmental health is also a crucial issue in the battle against this disease.
Early detection saves lives
One of the greatest challenges with lung cancer is its asymptomatic nature in early stages. Often, symptoms do not appear until the disease has already progressed to an advanced stage. If diagnosed at an early stage the chances of successful treatment improve significantly.
So what are the symptoms one should be aware of? Symptoms to watch for include: chest pain, a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, breathing difficulties, tiredness, coughing up blood, and fatigue. CT scans are currently the most effective mode of early detection. Experts emphasise the importance of routine screenings - especially for high-risk individuals, such as long term smokers above the age of 50 years or those with a family history of the disease.
Treatment options
Treatment of lung cancer is based on the type of cancer, stage or grade of the cancer and overall medical condition of the patient. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, removal of the tumour by surgery, immunotherapy to hike the immune response against cancer and targeted therapy that specifically targets the cancer cells blocking their ability to grow and spread.
Steps towards prevention
Health professionals stress the importance of quitting smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke, wearing protective gear when working around hazardous materials and advocating for cleaner air and healthier environments. We need stringent anti-tobacco policies to curb its use in the public.
Public awareness campaigns, screening programmes and social media initiatives on World Lung Cancer Day have played a crucial role in identifying cases early and improving survival rates
Call for support and research
On this day, individuals and organisations are encouraged to support lung cancer research and patient care efforts. Donations help fund advancements in early detection, targeted therapy and immunotherapy – treatments that are giving new hope to patients every day.
(Dr. Ray George is with the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. ray.g@naruvihospitals.com)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
That Morning Cough You Keep Ignoring Could Be Lung Cancer: Here's When To See A Doctor
Last Updated: If your morning cough has lasted more than 2–3 weeks, it could be an early warning sign of lung cancer, not just pollution or age. A persistent morning cough is often brushed off as something harmless, pollution, smoking, a dusty bedroom fan, or simply a part of getting older. However, ignoring this symptom could mean overlooking the early signs of a serious underlying condition, including lung cancer. Every year, 1st August is observed as World Lung Cancer Day, a reminder to prioritize lung health and the early detection of warning signs. Among these, the chronic morning cough stands out as one of the most overlooked symptoms. Many people tolerate it for weeks even months attributing it to environmental irritants or seasonal changes. But a cough that lasts more than 2–3 weeks, especially when accompanied by phlegm, hoarseness, chest discomfort, fatigue, or weight loss, should never be taken lightly. Dr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Director, Yashoda Institute of Respiratory Medicine & Interventional Pulmonology, says, 'We often see patients who delay seeking help until their condition has significantly progressed. This delay can be tragic when it comes to lung cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In India, the burden is growing due to rising pollution levels, smoking, and indoor exposure to biomass fuels used in cooking. What makes lung cancer particularly dangerous is that most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment becomes more complex and outcomes less favourable." Cough lasting more than 3 weeks Coughing up blood Chest pain or breathlessness Persistent fatigue or voice changes Sudden, unexplained weight loss Importantly, non-smokers are not immune. Urban residents constantly exposed to high levels of air pollution and indoor pollutants are also at risk. Take your morning cough seriously. If it's lingering or worsening, consult a pulmonologist. A simple chest X-ray or CT scan could provide critical insight into your lung health. view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:01 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness That Morning Cough You Keep Ignoring Could Be Lung Cancer: Here's When To See A Doctor Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Combating the problem of late detection in lung cancer through awareness
World Lung Cancer Day is observed annually on August 1 across the globe. The day was first established in 2012, through the efforts of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). This global initiative is mainly aimed at raising awareness and educating people about cancer affecting the lung, it's devastating impact on human life and the importance of preventive measures, early detection, and treatments. It also seeks to combat the stigma often associated with the illness. Also Read: ICMR set to bring in evidence-based norms for prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer A global health challenge Lung cancer remains one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, responsible for approximately one in five cancer-related deaths. According to recent health data, over 2 million people are diagnosed each year, and more than 1.8 million lose their lives to the disease. Unfortunately, a significant number of cases are not detected at an early stage, allowing it to progress to an advanced stage with limited and less effective treatment options. This late diagnosis is often due to a lack of public awareness about the risk factors, symptoms and the disease itself. World Lung Cancer Day helps us bridge these gaps in knowledge, underscore the importance of early detection and diagnosis, and create awareness and understanding of the disease. What causes lung cancer? Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer. The risk increases with both the intensity and duration of smoking. In addition to lung cancer, smoking also contributes to stroke, heart disease, other chronic lung diseases and blocks in the blood vessels of the body. Smoking damages the inner lining cells of the air passages to the lungs, leading to changes that develop into cancer over time. However, non smokers are not immune either. Several other risk factors can contribute to the development of lung cancer including second hand smoke exposure also known as passive smoking, radon gas and asbestos exposure, air pollution in cities and industrial areas, occupational hazards (such as exposure to construction, mining or manufacturing industries) and genetic predisposition in people with a family history of lung cancer. Hence environmental health is also a crucial issue in the battle against this disease. Early detection saves lives One of the greatest challenges with lung cancer is its asymptomatic nature in early stages. Often, symptoms do not appear until the disease has already progressed to an advanced stage. If diagnosed at an early stage the chances of successful treatment improve significantly. So what are the symptoms one should be aware of? Symptoms to watch for include: chest pain, a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, breathing difficulties, tiredness, coughing up blood, and fatigue. CT scans are currently the most effective mode of early detection. Experts emphasise the importance of routine screenings - especially for high-risk individuals, such as long term smokers above the age of 50 years or those with a family history of the disease. Treatment options Treatment of lung cancer is based on the type of cancer, stage or grade of the cancer and overall medical condition of the patient. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, removal of the tumour by surgery, immunotherapy to hike the immune response against cancer and targeted therapy that specifically targets the cancer cells blocking their ability to grow and spread. Steps towards prevention Health professionals stress the importance of quitting smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke, wearing protective gear when working around hazardous materials and advocating for cleaner air and healthier environments. We need stringent anti-tobacco policies to curb its use in the public. Public awareness campaigns, screening programmes and social media initiatives on World Lung Cancer Day have played a crucial role in identifying cases early and improving survival rates Call for support and research On this day, individuals and organisations are encouraged to support lung cancer research and patient care efforts. Donations help fund advancements in early detection, targeted therapy and immunotherapy – treatments that are giving new hope to patients every day. (Dr. Ray George is with the department of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. ray.g@
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Lung Cancer No More Smokers' Disease: Experts Reveal How Everyone Is Affected, Even Children
August 1 is annually observed as World Lung Cancer Day to raise awareness about the type of cancer that originates in the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body. Smoking is one of the primary causes of lung cancer, but alarming trends suggest that lung cancer can "no longer be seen as a smoker's disease" as it is affecting men, women and even children who don't smoke. "While smoking remains the leading cause, globally and in India, a concerning number of patients diagnosed today have never smoked a cigarette, and it's on the rise," Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department - Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, told NDTV. This growing trend is supported by Indian studies and global data that suggests a change being driven by environmental, occupational and/or genetic risk factors. A Lancet study, published in 2022, found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) caused an increase in the incidence rate of non-small cell lung cancer in non-smokers in urban and industrialised regions. In most Indian cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kanpur, pollution levels have become too high to be considered acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution would not merely irritate lung tissues; it can also damage DNA, thus, potentially creating cancer by the chronic exposure to pollutants such as soot, nitrogen dioxide, and benzene. Are Children At Risk? Can They Get Lung Cancer Or Other Severe Lung Diseases? Dr Shishir Bhatnagar, Senior Consultant - Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Noida, told NDTV that lung cancer as such in children is "not very common". The cancers in the lungs are basically carcinoids, adenocarcinomas and subtle pleuropulmonary blastomas. Most of these cancers may have their origin rarely from smoking and genetic factors. "More commonly in children, the lungs are affected by inflammation and infections. The inflammations are basically contributory and they are responsible for creating conditions like asthma and bronchitis," Dr Bhatnagar said. "Infections like bronchopneumonias, bronchitis, bacterial bronchitis and bronchiolitis are also contributed to by the environmental factors, including smoking and environmental smoke and dust." The smoking at the microbiological level can affect the immune system and weaken it by affecting the annular macrophage system. It also disturbs the microbiome of the airways, thereby increasing the biological injuries in them. At the cellular level, it affects the DNA and makes it more prone to inflammation and cancer. According to Dr Bhatnagar, the bigger issue is the serious lung harm from environmental exposures during early childhood. Children who live in high pollution neighbourhoods, and/or have been exposed to passive smoke, unclean fuels, or multiple respiratory infections as infants, potentially have sustained damage to their lungs, some of which may lead to chronic disease (bronchiectasis, asthma, lung cancer) in the future. A study published in 2023 in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that children exposed to high levels of PM2.5, impaired lung function, asymmetrically slowed lung development, and had the potential for life-long impairment related to lung function. Serious Concerns Over Vaping Experts are also concerned about the rising trend of vaping. Dr Bhatnagar said that vaping is some sort of mechanism where the toxins produced are less and are not equivalent to smoking. "The toxins are less, but they have high nicotine dependence. There are very high chances that in adolescence this can become a trouble, and it is actually a problem these days," he said, further adding that vaping can contribute and can actually go on to smoking. "Children may not have early symptoms of cancer, but a persistent cough, wheezing without being diagnosed with asthma, recurrence of pneumonia, or even chest pain of unknown origin, must be taken seriously," Dr Bhatnagar said. Children must be protected from indoor air pollution, and also reduce exposure to passive smoke, while treating infections early, as lung health is often forgotten. Major Causes Of Lung Cancer 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 the 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% of all cancers," Dr Vinayak Maka, Consultant - Dept of Medical Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, told NDTV. For all causes except tobacco, environmental and occupational risk factors are important: Passive Smoking: Significantly boosts risk. Radon Gas: The Second greatest risk factor after smoking, particularly in smokers. Occupational Exposure: Chemicals like asbestos, arsenic, and beryllium raise risk, especially among smokers. Genetic Influence: Family health history is one of the major contributing factors in making a person more vulnerable. Air Pollution: A high-risk factor; Delhi alone has witnessed an increase in lung cancer cases due to pollution. Diet and Processed Foods: Studies have found that an intake of ultra-processed foods leads to a 41 per cent higher risk, undermining the role played by diet. Regular Screening And Early Detection Dr Raja Dhar, Director & HOD - Pulmonology, CMRI Kolkata, weighed in on the strength of regular screening and early detection. He told NDTV, "Regular screening is also key, particularly for those at greater risk, because it enables us to catch problems early on, when treatment works best. Lung cancer too often gets diagnosed too late, but if we can detect it early, the likelihood of successful treatment is greatly enhanced."
