Traditionally, lung cancer has been closely linked to smoking, but we are seeing a change in this, especially in urban populations.” Adusumili said non-smokers, especially women, have a life expectancy of about 10 years compared to their Western counterparts. Lung cancer is often diagnosed with no history of smoking. “It may be associated with a variety of risk factors, including exposure to environmental pollutants, genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors,” he said.
Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with incidence increasing among non-smokers, especially women and Asian populations. About 75,000 new cases are reported every year in India. What is worrying is that a large number of lung cancer patients in the country are diagnosed in advanced stages. “Lung cancer in non-smokers (LCINS) occurs predominantly as adenocarcinoma, affecting peripheral lung tissue,” says Dr Jagadishwar Gaur Gajgouni, oncologist at a Hyderabad-based hospital. Main risk factors include air pollution, radon exposure, smoke from indoor cooking, and secondhand smoke.”
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