Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Aug 1: The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) has reported a steady rise in lung cancer cases over the past five years, with 4,830 patients registered between 2021 and 2025, as it marked World Lung Cancer Day by urging people to quit tobacco and seek early screening.
According to data released by GCRI, the institute treated 813 lung cancer patients in 2021, 865 in 2022, 933 in 2023, 1,086 in 2024 and 1,133 in 2025. Of the total cases, 3,931 patients (81.4 per cent) were men, while 899 (18.6 per cent) were women.
The awareness campaign was launched as the Gujarat government reiterated its commitment to providing treatment for serious illnesses, including cancer.
Citing the GLOBOCAN 2022 report, GCRI said India records more than 1.12 lakh new lung cancer cases and over 98,000 deaths annually. Globally, lung cancer accounts for around 2.6 million new cases and more than 1.8 million deaths every year, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Health experts said tobacco consumption, including smoking bidis, cigarettes and other tobacco products, remains the primary risk factor for lung cancer. Other contributing factors include passive smoking, air pollution and prolonged exposure to hazardous industrial substances such as asbestos.
Doctors advised people not to ignore symptoms such as persistent cough, coughing up blood, breathing difficulty, chest pain, changes in voice and unexplained weight loss. They stressed that early diagnosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Established in 1972, GCRI provides specialised treatment for lung cancer using advanced medical technology. The institute is equipped with facilities including robotic surgery, PET-CT, 3 Tesla MRI, 128-slice CT scan, bronchoscopy and advanced radiation therapies such as CyberKnife, TrueBeam and TomoTherapy.
Chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also available free of cost or at subsidised rates under government schemes, including PMJAY-MA.
Marking World Lung Cancer Day, GCRI appealed to the public to adopt healthier lifestyles by quitting tobacco, undergoing timely screening and seeking medical attention at the earliest signs of symptoms.
The institute noted that lung cancer is often detected at an advanced stage because early symptoms are mild or non-specific, but said greater awareness, tobacco cessation and early diagnosis can improve survival and save lives.