Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 1: Lung cancer continues to be a major public health concern in Karnataka, accounting for more than six per cent of all new cancer cases in the State, according to data released by the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) ahead of World Lung Cancer Day observed on August 1.

KMIO recorded 13,576 new cancer cases in 2025, of which 836 were diagnosed with lung cancer, representing 6.1 per cent of the institute's total cancer burden. Of the lung cancer patients, 260 were women. Lung cancer accounted for 9 per cent of all cancers diagnosed among men and 3.6 per cent among women at the institute.

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Director (in-charge) Dr R. Krishnappa said the figures highlight the continuing burden of the disease and the need to strengthen prevention, early detection, timely treatment and long-term follow-up.

He said tobacco remains the single largest preventable risk factor for lung cancer, stressing that preventing tobacco use, encouraging people to quit smoking, protecting the public from second-hand smoke and enforcing tobacco control laws are essential to reducing the disease burden.

According to the estimated cancer statistics for Karnataka in 2025, the State is expected to record around 89,215 new cancer cases, including 5,503 lung cancer cases, accounting for 6.1 per cent of all cancers. Of these, 3,787 cases are expected among men, representing 9.6 per cent of all male cancers, while 1,716 cases are projected among women, accounting for 3.5 per cent of female cancers.

Lung cancer is also estimated to claim 2,048 lives in Karnataka this year, including 1,377 men and 671 women.

Bengaluru reflects a similar trend, with an estimated 15,693 new cancer cases in 2025, including 1,028 lung cancer cases, representing 6.5 per cent of all cancers in the city. The disease is projected to cause 363 deaths, including 240 men and 123 women.

Dr Krishnappa noted that the risk of lung cancer extends beyond tobacco use, with air pollution, occupational exposure to carcinogens, indoor air pollution and hazardous substances such as asbestos and radon also contributing significantly.

He said early diagnosis remains a challenge because lung cancer often presents with few or non-specific symptoms in its initial stages. Persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness and recurrent respiratory infections should not be ignored, particularly among individuals with known risk factors.

Globally, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to 2022 global cancer estimates, there were approximately 2.48 million new lung cancer cases worldwide, accounting for 13.2 per cent of all cancers, and about 1.86 million deaths. In India, an estimated 1,12,659 new lung cancer cases and 98,687 deaths are projected in 2024, making it one of the country's deadliest forms of cancer.