New Delhi: Lung cancers in India account for a 6 per cent burden of overall cancers in the country, with almost 80 per cent of the cases having smoked cigarettes in some form or the other. With mortality rate also becoming a problem, it alone accounts for 8.1 per cent of all cancer-related deaths, experts are now also focusing on the minor group of patients suffering from such cancers without having consumed tobacco or having smoked even once during their lifetime.
“Although it is a fact that lung cancer is most prevalent in smokers, or in some cases in those people who have consumed tobacco products, it has been observed that lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked in their life. It is because of external factors such as air pollution, lifestyle disorders as well as genetic issues,” said Dr Ramakanth Goenka, a lung cancer specialist from Delhi. According to him the recent trend driving cancers in women and non smokers could also be mutations responsible for tumours.
External factors are contributing more towards lung cancer
Doctors will tell you that most forms of smoking, be it active cigarette smoking, vaping, and passive smoking, all increase the risk of a person developing a cancerous tumour in the lungs, chest or even the heart. But oncologists also ask us to be wary (equally if not more) about external environmental hazards such as exposure to asbestos, radon exposure, air pollution and diesel exhaust fumes which could all contribute towards a lung cancer. “Consider them as occupational hazards or simple way of living, but exposure to these elements in the air can cause you more damage than you can envisage,” Goenka said, adding that the mortality associated with such cancers is due to late diagnosis.
While breast cancer is identifiable and presents symptoms in the early stages, lung cancer, it has been observed lately, presents itself at a very late stage. “Fourth stage of lung cancer is not easy to treat with the immunotherapies available with us,” he reiterated. Symptoms of lung cancer can be easily mistaken as other respiratory illnesses. However, experts recommend you rush to the hospitals if you observe the following over a long duration.
Most cancers present themselves at a late stage, hence fatigue and overall tiredness is a known symptom. Loss of appetite and sudden weight loss is also a sign that all is not well with your body. However, if you have a persistent cough that refuses to go away or keeps coming back, then visit a doctor to rule out serious ailments. If you end up coughing blood, that is also a symptom that needs to be analysed by your general physician. “Although blood clots are formed when you cough too much and make the internal of your throat very dry, internal bleeding should always be checked up with a physician,” warns another oncologist from Gurgaon, Dr Samir Bhatia.
According to him, incidence of lung cancer is on a high because of contaminated water, air and food that is being consumed. “It is not just the air pollution that is a cause of worry. There is a pollution of all our basic necessities that need to be adhered to. For instance, eating foods that cause inflammation in the body, for a long period can result in severe outcomes. Similarly being exposed to dirty water sans minerals is corroding the internal organs faster than you can imagine.”
While there is a treatment for such types of lung cancers, especially if diagnosed in the early stages, experts say prevention and being mindful of one’s environment can go a long way in ensuring that you keep such diseases at bay. Of course, government help in reducing pollution will go a long way in curbing the incidence burden of most types of cancer.
Oncologists have been pressing for stricter implementation of tobacco laws and for the government to introduce measures to control air pollution. They have expressed their anguish over the rise in violations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, especially that of smoking in public places which translates to more issues regarding passive smoking and inhaling substances. Cancer care revolves around these specific areas, says Dr Bhatia – 1) Check smoking in public areas 2) Environmental pollution plays a deep impact hence there’s a need for effective policies. 3) Vehicle emissions on the increase, which is doing irreparable harm. 4) We also need behavioural change from people.
Lung cancer is slowly overtaking breast cancer in terms of incidence across genders and populace. According to the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) for lung cancer in India, measured in 2019, there was a marked increase in cases of lung cancer – from 6.62 per 100,000 in 1990 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2019. Mortality due to such cancers is also on a steep incline. What is bothersome is that lung cancer is also high among a population that has never smoked. Why then is it happening? Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
