“November: Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Breathe. Detect. Prevent.”

 

November is a key month for lung cancer awareness. By increasing understanding of the risk factors, encouraging early screening, and highlighting what common people can do, we can help reduce the burden of lung cancer in India. Below is a comprehensive blog-style article targeted at the general public, using solid data and actionable guidance.

1. The Scope of the Problem in India & Globally

  • Globally, there were about 2.48 million new lung cancer cases in 2022. World Cancer Research Fund+1

  • In India, the incidence of lung cancer is rising. For example, studies estimate the number of new cases in males will increase to approximately 81,219 by 2025. PMC+2Lippincott Journals+2

  • One study found lung cancer accounts for approximately 5.9% of all new cancer cases in India and about 8.1% of all cancer‐related deaths. ScienceDirect+1

  • The challenge: Many cases in India are diagnosed at advanced stages, when curative treatment is much harder. Indian Journal of Medical Research+1

  • Key takeaway: Lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease, and awareness + early detection matter.

2. What are the Risk Factors? (Especially relevant for India)

Here are major factors that increase risk — some you can change, others you can’t:

Modifiable (you can act)

  • Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, beedis, or hookah; also smokeless tobacco increases risk of lung cancer indirectly via inflammation & exposure.

  • Second-hand smoke: Non-smokers living with smokers still carry elevated risk.

  • Air pollution: Exposure to outdoor air pollution (PM2.5, industrial emissions) and indoor pollution (biomass fuel, indoor cooking smoke) add significant risk. Lippincott Journals+1

  • Occupational exposures: Radon, asbestos, silica, diesel fumes, certain mining or construction exposures.

  • Poor lifestyle: Although less directly than for other cancers, factors like poor diet, low physical activity, and chronic lung disease may contribute. PMC

Non-modifiable / less controllable

  • Age: Risk increases with age (most cases in mid-older age).

  • Genetic predisposition: A family history of lung cancer or certain gene mutations may raise risk.

  • Past medical history: Chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD), history of lung infections, prior radiation to the chest.

Important note for India:
Even people who have never smoked are increasingly being diagnosed with lung cancer — perhaps linked to pollution and other environmental exposures. The Guardian+1

3. Why Early Detection (Screening) Matters

  • Early‐stage lung cancer (when detected before spread) has much better outcomes — e.g., some screening trials show high 10-year survival for Stage I disease. PMC+1

  • In a large trial (National Lung Screening Trial in the US) using low-dose CT (LDCT) in high‐risk smokers, lung cancer mortality was reduced by ~20%. PMC+1

  • In India, although no national screening programme currently exists, expert opinion supports screening in selected high-risk individuals. japi.org+1

4. How Can a Common Person “Screen” or Check for Lung Cancer?

Here’s what you and your family can do — especially if you are at higher risk.

✅ What you should ask / discuss with your doctor

  • If you have a history of heavy smoking (e.g., 20–30 pack-years), ask about LDCT screening. “Pack-years” = number of cigarettes packs per day × years smoked.

  • If you are exposed to major risk factors (e.g., heavy air pollution, asbestos, radon, biomass cooking smoke) and have respiratory symptoms, bring this up with your physician.

  • If you have symptoms like persistent cough (> 3–4 weeks), blood in sputum, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness, chest pain — don’t ignore them.

🔍 Screening Tests & Their Status in India

  • Low Dose CT (LDCT): The current best tool for lung cancer screening in high‐risk individuals. cancerindia.org.in+1

  • Chest X-ray and sputum cytology: These have low sensitivity (miss many cases) and are not recommended as sole screening tools. cancerindia.org.in+1

  • In India, screening is not yet widely rolled out at a population level due to cost, infrastructure, and TB background. Indian Journal of Medical Research+1

🧭 Suggested Criteria (based on international/Indian views)

  • Age roughly between ~50–80 years (varies by guideline) and heavy smoking history. japi.org+1

  • In India, smart targeted screening (rather than broad population screening) is being advocated. PMC

📋 What You Can Do Right Away (even without formal screening)

  • Quit tobacco now: the single most important step.

  • Reduce exposure to pollution and indoor smoke: ensure good ventilation, avoid biomass fuel use, use masks if highly exposed.

  • Stay physically active, maintain healthy weight, eat a balanced diet. These help overall cancer risk reduction. PMC

  • Get routine health check‐ups including evaluation of lung health if you are at risk.

  • Be alert to symptoms: persistent cough, coughing up blood, new or worsening breathlessness, chest/shoulder pain, recurrent pneumonia. Even if you’re not a smoker, these should not be ignored.

5. What to Say in November Awareness Campaigns

Because November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, you can use the following messages in posters, blogs or social-media posts:

  • “Stop smoking today — give your lungs a chance tomorrow.”

  • “Even non-smokers can get lung cancer — protect your air, indoors and outdoors.”

  • “If you’re over 50, have smoked for many years or have been exposed to heavy pollution — talk to your doctor about LDCT screening.”

  • “Persistent cough? Don’t ignore it. Early check-up could save your life.”

  • “Clean air, healthy lungs, longer life.”

6. Why This Matters for All of Us (Public Health Angle)

  • Lung cancer has high mortality and significant burden — particularly in India where many cases are diagnosed late.

  • Prevention (tobacco cessation, reducing pollution) + early detection are key.

  • Awareness empowers people to act — whether that’s quitting smoking, improving indoor air, or visiting their doctor when suspicious symptoms arise.

  • While screening programmes are still evolving in India, being proactive individually makes a difference.

7. Conclusion

In summary: Lung cancer is a serious but preventable and, in some cases, detectable early disease. This November, as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let us all spread the message — quit tobacco, reduce lung risk exposures, seek medical advice for screening (if eligible), and pay attention to lung health. Early detection saves lives. Dr. M G Giriyappagoudar, a senior radiation oncologist of north Karnataka suggests mainly in avoiding risk factors like smoking, exposing to air pollution and regular breathing exercises and physical activities to avoid lung cancer . 

Dr. M G Giriyappagoudar

MD, DMRT

Anvita Onco Clinic

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