Lung Cancer Awareness Month: 1 in 101 individuals carries risk of developing lung carcinoma in India
Dr. Rajesh Bollam, Senior Consultant Medical and Hemato Oncologist & Executive Director, Renova Hospitals
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: November is being observed as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Expressing concern over the rising lung cancer burden in India, medical experts have called for early diagnosis, better awareness, and improved access to care.
According to the data shared in a public awareness note, India recorded more than 72,000 new lung cancer cases in 2020, and the incidence continues to increase. Current estimates indicate that 1 in 101 individuals carries a lifetime risk of developing lung cancer.
Dr. Rajesh Bollam, Senior Consultant Medical and Hemato Oncologist & Executive Director, Renova Hospitals, emphasized the urgency by noting that “approximately 40% of these patients reach very late to the cancer specialist very late, when their cancer is in an advanced stage.”
”Despite this, remarkable developments and advances in the treatment of advanced lung cancer have happened in the past few years, and the life span of even stage 4 lung cancer patients is significantly increasing,” he said
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Common presenting symptoms include:
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Chest or generalized body pain
Risk factors include smoking (active and passive), family history, ageing, previous lung disease, exposure to airborne particulates such as asbestos or arsenic, and certain occupational lung hazards.
Dr. Bollam noted that although smokers remain in the highest-risk category, the incidence of lung cancer among non-smokers is also rising, making awareness even more important.
He also cautioned that “the same symptoms can be caused by other conditions also, so it may not necessarily mean it is always a cancer. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor when such symptoms are present.”
Advances in Diagnosis
Dr. Bollam highlighted several developments in diagnostic technology:
• Subtyping lung cancer:
“There are many subtypes of lung cancer, and each may need a different treatment approach, so a cancer specialist can evaluate all the factors and make the best plan for the patient.”
• Molecular profiling:
Identifying abnormalities at the molecular level, known as “druggable targets,” has transformed treatment planning. These tests, he noted, are now more affordable due to generic versions and government support.
• Precision tools:
Technologies such as Next Generation Genomic Sequencing (NGS), PET scans with 4D and Time-of-Flight capabilities, enable more accurate staging and treatment planning. These tools allow specialists to determine both the type and stage of cancer with higher accuracy.
Advances in Medical Therapy
The last decade has seen major progress in lung cancer therapeutics.
• Targeted Therapy:
Dr. Bollam explained that “molecular testing enables us to directly attack the target on the cancer cells,” using specialized drugs in tablet or injectable form.
• Immunotherapy:
Describing its impact, he said, “Recently, immunotherapy, which enables the immune system to attack cancer cells, has revolutionized cancer treatment, not only for lung cancer but also for many other cancers.”
These advancements are central to the growing field of Precision Oncology, which focuses on personalizing treatments to match the patient’s specific cancer profile.
Advances in Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy has also undergone significant upgrades, increasing accuracy and reducing side effects.
Key technologies now include:
• Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
• Surface-Guided Radiotherapy with 4D gating (SGRT)
These systems improve targeting and help manage lung motion due to breathing.
Dr. Bollam observed that early-stage lung cancers in select cases can even be treated “with radiation alone, completing the treatment in just 3 to 5 days.”
For advanced-stage cancers, radiotherapy is combined with chemotherapy, employing all modern tumor-targeting approaches.
Barriers to Early Diagnosis
Major obstacles include:
• Lack of awareness of symptoms
• Misinterpretation of early warning signs
• Poor continuity of medical follow-up
• Limited access to diagnostic facilities
Dr. Bollam stressed the need for proactive community engagement, adding that “creating cancer awareness, arranging mass screening camps, preventing risk factors, adopting healthy habits, and improving access to health care among people would result in impressive control and cure of cancer.”
Collaborative Approach
Calling for collective action, Dr. Bollam concluded:
“The bottom line: to go fast, go alone; but to go far, go together. Together, lung cancer can be conquered.”
