Lung cancer cases rise among non-smokers and women in India
- Lung cancer cases are rising among non-smokers, women, and younger individuals.
- Air pollution, including PM2.5, is a major risk factor independent of tobacco.
- A study shows non-smokers now make up 50% of lung cancer patients at one hospital.
- Symptoms like persistent cough are often misdiagnosed as infections or tuberculosis.
- Treatment options like immunotherapy and targeted therapy have significantly improved outcomes.
Lung cancer cases in India are increasingly affecting women, younger individuals, and non-smokers, marking a significant shift from the disease profile observed in the 1980s.
Dr Harsh Vardhan Puri, a senior consultant at Medanta - The Medicity in Gurugram, said that while doctors once primarily saw male smokers over 60, the patient profile has changed over the last 5 to 10 years. A study at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital involving 150 patients found that the proportion of non-smokers rose from approximately 10 percent in an earlier group to nearly 50 percent in a recent group.
This shift is significant because it indicates that lung cancer is no longer limited to tobacco users. Background information defines smoking as the process of burning plant material, such as tobacco leaves in a cigarette, pipe, cigar, or bong.
Air pollution linked to rising adenocarcinoma cases
Air pollution is a contributing risk factor for lung cancer that exists independently of tobacco use.
Dr Sunny Virdi, associate director at Alchemist Hospitals in Panchkula, said adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of lung cancer globally and the predominant type found in people who have never smoked.
Dr Virdi explained that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs. This process causes chronic inflammation and biological changes that contribute to the development of cancer.
Household fuels and outdoor air pose risks to women
This exposure disproportionately affects women and children who spend significant time near cooking areas.
In public spaces like parks, restaurants, and playgrounds, women and children are frequently observed wearing masks to avoid poor air quality, according to vietnam.vn on 6 November 2026.
Persistent coughs often lead to delayed diagnosis
Dr Sunny Virdi said lung cancer diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms such as a persistent cough are frequently mistaken for allergies, respiratory infections, or tuberculosis.
While these symptoms do not definitively indicate cancer, they should not be ignored, especially if they continue or increase in severity.
Advanced treatments offer hope despite screening gaps
New research indicates that some patients are being excluded from routine lung cancer screenings, according to 12news.com on 5 November 2026.
Smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, though it is not the only cause of the disease. Dr Sunny Virdi said treatment options including surgery, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy have improved, and in some instances, non-smokers may see better outcomes than smokers.
Medical advice and professional consultation
NDTV stated on 6 November 2026 that the provided information is for general use only and does not replace professional medical advice. Users should consult a specialist or their own doctor for personal health concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Lung Cancer Is No Longer Just A Smoker's Disease: Why More Non-Smokers And Women Are At Risk (ndtv.com)
- Daily Dose: Lung cancer screenings, what families need to know about brain death and a new study on marijuana hospitalization (12news.com)
- Women, children, and the right to breathe clean air. (vietnam.vn)
- Smoking (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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