According to a conference organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSPCHAM), ‘Lung Cancer-Awareness, Prevention, Challenges and Treatment’, air pollution is the main cause of increase in lung cancer in the country. “About 63 of the 100 most polluted places in the world belong to India.”
There are about 70,275 types of causes of lung cancer in India. Globally, thoracic tumors account for 11.4% of total and 1.79 million deaths (18% of total cancer deaths) with approximately 2.20 million new cases. The number could be doubled by 2025.
Delivering the welcome address, DS Rana, Chairperson, Assocham Wellness Council, and Chairperson Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, due to Covid-19, the focus has now shifted to non-communicable diseases.
“Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death throughout the world. The incidence of lung cancer is increasing among smokers as well as non-smokers in India. Environmental pollutants like arsenic, chromium, nickel, asbestos, and dioxins as major causes of smoking need to be addressed. There needs to be a screening program throughout the national,” said V. Srinivasan, Director (FAC), Government Organiser’s Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Karapettai, Kanchipuram.
Symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough that gradually worsens, chest pain that worsens with coughing, blood in sputum when coughing, hoarseness, wheezing or wheezing, weakness and fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Lung cancer treatment has several challenges related to timely diagnosis, obtaining samples by different methods and cost-related issues. Despite the provision of free diagnostic and treatment services, there is considerable delay in the initiation of therapy and a significant proportion of treatment non-initiation and abandonment.