Doctors raise alarm over increasing lung cancer cases in non-smokers in India

New Delhi: Lung cancer, traditionally linked to smoking, is now increasingly being reported among non-smokers in India, raising significant concern among health experts. Doctors attribute this surge to growing exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly in urban areas.

A recent study published in The Lancet's eClinical Medicine Journal highlights that a majority of lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers, with cases appearing nearly a decade earlier than in Western countries. Experts warn that this alarming trend reflects a shift in lung cancer demographics.

“India's lung cancer demographic presents a unique and concerning picture, with a rising incidence among younger individuals and an increasing number of cases occurring in non-smokers,” told Dr. Prasad Adusumilli, Thoracic Surgeon and Cellular Therapist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US to IANS. Adusumilli added that non-smoking women are particularly vulnerable, often diagnosed nearly 10 years earlier than their Western counterparts. He pointed to environmental pollutants, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors as primary drivers.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and non-smokers, particularly women and Asian populations, are increasingly affected. India reports around 75,000 new lung cancer cases annually, with many diagnoses occurring at advanced stages, which limits treatment options and worsens outcomes.

Dr. Jagadishwar Goud Gajagowni, an oncologist in Hyderabad, highlighted that lung cancer in non-smokers (LCINS) primarily manifests as adenocarcinoma, affecting peripheral lung tissues. “Key risk factors include exposure to air pollution, radon gas, indoor cooking fumes, and passive smoking,” he explained. He emphasized that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban air and radon in poorly ventilated homes significantly elevate risk. In rural areas, cooking with solid fuels in poorly ventilated spaces further contributes to the disease burden.

Advancements in treatment offer hope to patients. “Minimally invasive surgical techniques and modern radiation therapies provide more targeted, less invasive treatment, reducing recovery times and side effects,” said Dr. Adusumilli. He also highlighted the transformative impact of targeted therapies, which allow for personalized treatments based on a tumor's molecular profile, significantly improving patient outcomes.

Doctors urge greater awareness of environmental risks and advocate for improved indoor air quality, pollution control measures, and early screening programs to address this growing health crisis. The rising cases of lung cancer among non-smokers underscore the urgent need for public health interventions in India.