Lung cancer is commonly associated with smoking. However, among the new cases of lung cancer that are emerging, one out of every four patients has never even touched a cigarette or tobacco. Apart from this, the number of female patients is also continuously increasing. According to reports, the number of lung cancer patients in India will reach approximately 81,000 by the end of 2025. Recent studies and experts say that while smoking remains a major cause of lung cancer, pollution has emerged as another important factor. Not only external but also internal pollution is responsible for this.
What do the statistics say?
According to data from the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), the number of lung cancer patients in India will reach approximately 81,000 by the end of 2025. Statistics show that one in every 74 people is at risk of the disease, and the number of annual deaths from lung cancer has reached 60,000.
What precautions are necessary?
In about 80 percent of cases, the disease is detected in the third or fourth stage, which delays treatment and worsens the patient’s condition. This is the reason why the number of deaths due to lung cancer is increasing year by year.
Is pollution becoming a major hidden cause of lung cancer?
Experts say that the problem of pollution increases after Diwali, especially in North Indian cities. This problem persists not only in Delhi but also in Kolkata. Although pollution levels remain dangerous throughout the year, the problem increases significantly after Diwali. High amounts of carcinogens present in smoke emitted from industrial areas damage DNA and cause abnormal growth of cells. It eventually turns into cancer. It is also considered to be a major reason for the increasing cases of lung cancer among non-smokers. On the other hand, people’s lifestyle is also becoming a factor. People who consume less green vegetables, fruits and vitamin-rich foods, and also reduce physical activity, have a higher risk of lung cancer.
Why is the problem of lung cancer increasing in women?
Recent studies report and experts believe that the causes of lung cancer in women include both air pollution and indoor pollution. Women who use fossil fuels like coal and wood for cooking are exposed to particulate matter (PM) present in the smoke. Experts say that due to the relatively smaller size of the lungs of women, PM 2.5 and PM 5 easily stick to them. These are some of the reasons due to which lung cancer is increasing in women, especially those women who spend most of the time indoors. Apart from this, certain genetic mutations in women, effect of estrogen hormone on the body, and increasing number of female smokers in urban areas are also the causes of this disease.
This disease has not spread equally in all states
Many reports have shown that the disease has not spread evenly in all parts of the country. Its rate is higher in the northeastern states, while the number of patients is less in central and western India. It is worth noting that about 8 percent of all cancer deaths in the country are due to lung cancer. In most patients, the mortality rate is around 80 to 90 percent as the disease is diagnosed in the third or fourth stage.
