India on verge of lung cancer epidemic; Study warns - Video

India faces a looming lung cancer crisis-and it's hitting non-smokers harder than ever before. A major national study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research projects sharp rises in cases by 2030, with North-East regions expected to suffer the most and women showing the fastest increases. Once seen as a smoker's disease, lung cancer in India now reveals a troubling shift driven by air pollution, cooking smoke, and genetic factors affecting never-smokers nationwide.

The study analyzed long-term trends using time-series forecasting across India's regions, breaking down data by age, gender, and cancer morphology (cell type). Researchers examined historical incidence patterns and applied statistical models to predict future burden through 2030. They focused particularly on adenocarcinoma—the subtype surging among non-smokers—which appears linked more to environmental exposures than tobacco.

Key findings paint a stark picture. National lung cancer cases will climb significantly, with North-East states facing disproportionate impact due to high pollution and biomass fuel use. Women's incidence rates are accelerating faster than men's, challenging the traditional smoker stereotype. Among never-smokers, adenocarcinoma dominates, tied to factors like indoor cooking smoke, outdoor air pollution, passive smoking, radon exposure, occupational hazards (asbestos), and family history.

Early symptoms often get dismissed as minor respiratory problems or confused with tuberculosis in India. Warning signs include persistent cough lasting weeks, worsening cough patterns, coughing up blood or mucus, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain not tied to injury, sudden weight loss, and persistent fatigue. These overlap with common illnesses, leading to late-stage diagnosis when treatment becomes far harder.

A lung cancer diagnosis transforms life overnight. Physically, patients face urgent choices between surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies while managing breathlessness and exhaustion. Emotionally, shock, fear, anxiety about the future, family concerns, identity shifts, and loss of independence hit hard. Support from medical teams, counseling, and loved ones proves essential during this transition.

The biggest myth? "Only smokers get lung cancer." Non-smokers face real risks from environmental triggers, and dismissing symptoms delays critical early detection. One key message stands above all: persistent cough or breathing changes demand medical attention immediately. Early discovery dramatically improves treatment success and quality of life.

REFERENCE: Jinto Edakkalathoor George, Preethi Sara George, Rekha A. Nair., Jini Sara Jacob, Aleyamma Mathew; Region-wise lung cancer burden, long-term trend & time-series forecasts in India: An analytical study by age, gender, & morphology; Indian Journal of Medical Research; 162(5);563-572; doi: 10.25259/IJMR_1565_2025