Lung cancer rising among non-smokers in India; doctors raise concern

Lung cancer long known to affect smokers is seeing a significant rise in people who do not smoke said doctors on Monday raising concern over the shiftAccording to health experts increased exposure to air pollution as the major reasonA recent research published in the Lancets eClinical Medicine Journal showed that a majority of lung cancer patients in India are nonsmokers The study noted that lung cancer cases are also manifesting in India about 10 years earlier as compared to Western countriesIndias lung cancer demographic presents a unique and concerning picture with a rising incidence among younger individuals and an increasing number of cases occurring in nonsmokers Traditionally lung cancer has been strongly associated with smoking but we are witnessing a shift especially in urban populationsrdquo Dr Prasad Adusumilli Thoracic Surgeon and Cellular Therapist Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center MSK US told IANSAdusumilli added that nonsmokers particularly women are increasingly diagnosed with lung cancer around 10 years earlier than their Western counterparts often with no history of smokingldquoThis may be linked to various risk factors including exposure to environmental pollutants genetic predisposition and lifestyle factorsrdquo he explainedLung cancer is also the leading cause of cancerrelated deaths globally with increasing cases among nonsmokers especially women and Asian populationsIndia reports about 75000 new cases every year Worryingly a considerable number of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages in the countryldquoNonsmoker lung cancer LCINS mainly presents as adenocarcinoma affecting peripheral lung tissues Key risk factors include air pollution radon exposure indoor cooking fumes and secondhand smokerdquo Dr Jagadishwar Goud Gajagowni an oncologist at a Hyderabadbased hospitalldquoEnvironmental pollutants like fine particulate matter PM25 in urban areas and radon in homes significantly contribute to risk Poor indoor air quality from cooking with solid fuels in poorly ventilated spaces also poses a danger especially in developing regions Passive smoking further elevates risks particularly in areas with high smoking rates among men the doctor notedIn terms of treatment there have been significant advancements in lung cancer therapies Minimally invasive surgical approaches and radiation therapies are offering patients a less invasive more targeted approach resulting in reduced recovery times and fewer side effectsFurther ldquothe development of targeted therapies has revolutionised the treatment landscape offering more personalised and effective options for patients based on the molecular profile of their tumours Adusumilli saidAlso ReadNonsmokers also getting diagnosed with lung cancer in India heres whyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever