External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday told Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski that the “selective targeting” of India for purchasing Russian oil amid the war in Ukraine was “unfair and unjustified”
Something in Europe has snapped. Donald Trump doubled down again on Monday, in his insistence that the US needs Greenland for national security reasons. Is he prepared to use force to seize it, journalists asked him? "No comment," said the president
Noida Techie Death Case: The victim's family has alleged gross administrative negligence, claiming that timely intervention could have saved his life. Following an outrage, the administration has taken action and removed M Lokesh, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Noida and Managing Director of
He has been a thorn in India's flesh for a while now, he once again underlined his value with the bat. Back-to-back centuries in the second ODI and the series decider helped New Zealand push the hosts into submission and seal a historic series victory — their first-ever ODI series win on
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump's “Board of Peace” aimed at resolving conflicts globally and overseeing governance and reconstruction in Gaza, the Kremlin said on Monday (January 19, 2026)
The Changing Face Of Lung Cancer: Why Non-Smokers Need To Be Vigilant
The Changing Face Of Lung Cancer: Why Non-Smokers Need To Be Vigilant
Lung cancer is increasingly affecting non-smokers in India due to pollution, environmental exposure, genetic factors. Experts explain why early screening and vigilance are critical
India is witnessing a significant and continuing lung cancer burden, with over 80,000 new cases reported annually and nearly 60,000 deaths each year. One of the biggest challenges is late diagnosis: around 80–85% of patients are identified at advanced, incurable stages, severely limiting treatment options and survival outcomes.
While smoking remains a major risk factor with nearly 100 million adult smokers in the country, lung cancer is no longer a smoker-only disease. In fact, 40–50% of lung cancer cases in India occur in individuals who have never smoked, and among women, this proportion can be as high as 83% across South Asia. Despite this, the persistent misconception that lung cancer affects only smokers continues to delay diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Niti Raizada, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DNB (General Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology), Principal Director, Medical Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, shares key insights into this shifting trend.
Urban centres such as Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are reporting rising lung cancer rates driven largely by environmental exposure rather than tobacco use. Alarmingly, the disease is also being detected at younger ages, with the median age of diagnosis now around 56 years, nearly a decade earlier than in many Western countries.
Among non-smokers, lung cancer is increasingly linked to factors beyond tobacco. Outdoor air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), causes cumulative damage to lung tissue. Indoor air pollution from biomass cooking fuels, poor ventilation, and exposure to radon gas further adds to risk. Occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos, silica, and diesel exhaust also remains a significant concern. Additionally, genetic alterations such as EGFR and ALK mutations are frequently observed in Indian non-smoker lung cancer patients, driving disease development even in the absence of smoking.
What makes this pattern especially concerning is how often early symptoms are ignored. Persistent cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss are commonly dismissed as allergies, infections, stress, or ageing particularly in individuals who do not fit the “typical” lung cancer profile. As a result, only about 3.5–7% of patients are diagnosed at an early, operable stage, delaying access to potentially curative treatment.
Awareness is critical. Non-smokers must recognise that being smoke-free does not make them immune, especially in high-pollution environments. Monitoring air quality, improving home ventilation, choosing cleaner cooking fuels, and using protective measures in high-exposure occupations can help reduce risk.
Equally important is early evaluation and screening. Low-dose CT scans should be considered for non-smokers with significant environmental exposure or persistent respiratory symptoms. Primary care providers must look beyond smoking history when assessing patients. Expanding access to genetic testing for non-smokers with lung adenocarcinoma can further guide targeted therapies and improve outcomes.
Lung cancer is no longer defined by smoking alone. With its growing burden among non-smokers, awareness, vigilance, and early action must become central to how we approach respiratory health.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Why UGC Equity Rules Aimed At Ending Caste Discrimination Face Criticism Home fortress at stake as India face New Zealand’s bid for ODI history Face ID for PF accounts Cervical Cancer In Young Women Big names on Trump's peace panel face huge challenges in Gaza Start These 11 Life-Changing Habits Before It’s Too Late MacKenzie Scott’s Donations Face FBI Scrutiny Over Alleged Hamas Links India's thriving online delivery platforms face a year of reckoning Ball makers face backlash after Kohli's fielding error in Indore Indians face more US visa refusals on social media scrutiny
Claude wasn't much of a talker, he barely moved, and never wore a costume to entice his audience - but on Sunday, hundreds gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the life and legacy of the city's beloved albino alligator. A New Orleans-style brass band
2 minutes ago
The BJP's working president Nitin Nabin is all set to be elected unopposed as the party's national president after his was the sole name proposed at the end of the withdrawal of nominations on Monday. According to Dr K Laxman, the national returning officer of the BJP's Sangathan Parv
2 minutes ago
France “does not intend to answer favourably” to an invitation to join U.S. President Donald Trump's “Board of Peace”, a source close to President Emmanuel Macron told AFP on Monday (January 19, 2026). The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of war-torn
2 minutes ago
Authorities said the blaze, which broke out around 10:00 p.m. on January 17, was brought under control after nearly 34 hours. However, rescue and recovery operations are still underway amid fears of further collapse. Search teams, supported by the Army, Rangers and civil administration
2 minutes ago
‘King' Virat Kohli once again showcased his brilliance as he continued his stellar form with another century on Sunday (January 18). Kohli struck his 85th international century in the third ODI between India and New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
2 minutes ago
Ray Dalio's April 2025 warning of a “breaking down of the monetary order” amid surging US debt and tariffs now appears prescient as global growth slows and de-dollarization efforts accelerate in early 2026. In the resurfaced NBC interview
2 minutes ago
NABARD Development Assistant Recruitment 2026: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has invited online applications for the post of Development Assistant. Interested and eligible candidates can apply through the official website at nabard.org
2 minutes ago
India's Lodha Developers said on Tuesday that it would invest an additional Rs 1 lakh crore ($11 billion) to build a 2.5 gigawatt data centre park in the state of Maharashtra, expanding on an earlier commitment of Rs 30,000 crore
2 minutes ago
India's railway stations are crowded, fast-moving hubs that handle lakhs of passengers every single day. From early-morning rush hours to late-night arrivals, these stations never truly slow down. A recent Instagram video has drawn attention by breaking down which railway stations across the
2 minutes ago
In today's fast-paced life, parents often struggle to decide what to make for breakfast that is both quick and appealing for children. Eating paratha, poha, or bread every day can feel repetitive, and kids soon lose interest. If you want to surprise them with something sweet and crispy
2 minutes ago
Lung cancer is increasingly affecting non-smokers in India due to pollution, environmental exposure, genetic factors. Experts explain why early screening and vigilance are critical India is witnessing a significant and continuing lung cancer burden, with over 80
2 minutes ago
ITR Refund Delay 2025: For many taxpayers, the tax filing process isn't truly over until the refund hits the bank account. While the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) has significantly sped up processing times, delays still happen. This year
2 minutes ago
Shares of electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric extended losses to the tenth session in a row on Tuesday, January 20, as they fell another 5% to ₹33.82 following the resignation of the chief financial officer (CFO) Harish Abichandani. The stock has lost almost 22% during the 10-day bear run
2 minutes ago
Kochi/New Delhi, Jan 20 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted searches in three states as part of its money laundering investigation into the Sabarimala alleged gold loss case of Kerala, officials said. About 21 locations across Kerala
2 minutes ago
Players who are not retained will enter an open pool. The expansion teams, Sialkot and Hyderabad, will be granted the opportunity to sign four players from this pool prior to the start of the auction. In a landmark shift for the competition, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is officially abandoning
3 minutes ago
Nature has a way of surprising people when they least expect it. A stretch of water in Kochi is now drawing attention online after videos showed it glowing electric blue at night. The rare phenomenon, locally called kavaru, has appeared again in the pokkali fields near Kumbalangi and Chellanam
3 minutes ago
Around 9.30 am, Sensex lost 275 points, or 0.33 per cent to reach 82,971 and Nifty declined 91 points, or 0.36 per cent to 25,494. Mumbai: The Indian benchmark indices continued their losses on Tuesday, tracking weak global cues and the US administration's escalation of tariff tensions with
2 minutes ago
Skoda Auto India is set to launch the 2026 Kushaq facelift later today, marking the first major refresh for the mid-size SUV since its India debut in 2021. However, the vehicle's exterior has been revealed by the company on its website ahead of its official unveiling
2 minutes ago
Wellness in India is no longer a separate lifestyle category reserved for weekends, detox phases, or moments of guilt after indulgence. It has quietly woven itself into everyday life, into morning routines, workday snacks, and evening wind-down rituals
2 minutes ago
For a section of Gurugram and Delhi-NCR residents, the memories of visiting the live theatre shows of the Kingdom of Dreams would still be fresh. The Kingdom of Dreams, located in Sector 29 of Gurgaon in the state of Haryana, hosted popular theatre shows on a grand scale that attracted massive
2 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump is preparing to formally establish a newly proposed “Board of Peace" for Gaza, with a signing ceremony expected as early as Thursday during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. An invitation that has been shared online suggests the event
2 minutes ago
About 21 locations across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are being raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), media reports said quoting officials. Kochi/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday launched searches in three states as part of its money
2 minutes ago
If you are searching for a reliable, fuel-efficient motorcycle within a limited budget, the TVS Star City Plus stands out as a strong contender. Priced at around ₹75,200 (ex-showroom), it is currently regarded as one of India's most affordable motorcycles equipped with a front disc brake
3 minutes ago
The train will run via Dhanbad, Gomo, Koderma, Gaya, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction. This train will begin regular operations from Howrah starting January 22. New Delhi: In a significant announcement, the Indian Railways has said that the regular operations of three new Amrit Bharat
3 minutes ago
A British lawmaker has suggested that football teams should boycott the upcoming World Cup in North America in response to US President Donald Trump's actions over Greenland. During a debate on Arctic security on Monday, Conservative MP Simon Hoare accused Trump of disrespecting his allies and said
2 minutes ago
BJP leader Nitin Nabil will become the party's 12th National President, elected unopposed with strong support from from party's senior leaders. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Nabin is set to take charge as the BJP's new National President on Tuesday
2 minutes ago
Japan and the US have short-listed a few projects as the first candidates under Tokyo's planned US-bound $550 billion investment, including a project involving SoftBank Group, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.The two governments have intensified discussions to select
2 minutes ago
