Large Number of Lung Cancer Patients in India Never Smoked: Lancet Study

A recent study highlights the role of air pollution and genetic diversity in shaping lung cancer trends in India. This research emphasizes that most lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers, pointing to environmental and genetic factors as significant contributors.

Summarized Insights:

• Non-smokers most affected

• Air pollution as a major cause

• Rising lung cancer rates

• Need for region-specific guidelines

Lung cancer in India is predominantly affecting non-smokers, driven by factors such as air pollution and the country's unique genetic diversity. 

According to a study published in The Lancet's eClinical Medicine Journal, the incidence rate of lung cancer has risen significantly, with further increases expected in urban areas by 2025.

The study underscores that air pollution, along with the genetic makeup of the Indian population, plays a crucial role in the development of lung cancer. 

Scientists have found that lung cancer in Southeast Asia, particularly in India, is different from that in other parts of Asia and the West. 

The genetic diversity of India's population shapes the unique characteristics of lung cancer in the region.

One of the most striking findings of the study is that most lung cancer patients in India have never smoked. 

This highlights the significant impact of air pollution, which can cause lung cancer even in non-smokers. 

The researchers call for region-specific guidelines to address these unique risk factors, emphasizing the need for dynamic guidelines that evolve with changing scientific understanding and are tailored to the Southeast Asian context.

The incidence rate of lung cancer in India has increased from 6.62 per 100,000 in 1990 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2019. 

This rise is expected to continue, particularly in urban areas, by 2025. 

The study also notes that lung cancer in India is typically diagnosed between the ages of 54 and 70, about a decade earlier than in Western countries. 

This earlier onset is partly attributed to India's younger population, with a median age of 28.2 years compared to 38 years in the USA and 39 years in China.

The male-to-female ratio of lung cancer cases reflects higher tobacco use among men, with 42.4% of men using tobacco compared to 14.2% of women. 

However, the study's emphasis on non-smokers highlights that lung cancer is not solely a consequence of tobacco use but is also significantly influenced by environmental factors.

In a related paper, researchers from institutions including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, analyzed the impact of climate change on lung cancer in Asia. 

The World Air Quality Report in 2022 identified South Asia as home to 37 of the 40 most polluted cities globally, with India being one of the most polluted countries.

The researchers highlighted that climate change exacerbates the lung cancer burden, which is already a significant public health challenge in Asia. 

Natural disasters and high pollution levels in countries like China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have led to high lung cancer cases, with over 965,000 new cases reported in 2020.

The scientists advocate for region-centric studies to develop guidelines that address specific climate variables and environmental factors contributing to lung cancer. 

Current guidelines are often based on global data, which may not accurately reflect the unique challenges faced by Southeast Asia.

The study calls for a comprehensive approach to tackle lung cancer in India, considering the unique genetic and environmental factors at play. 

As air pollution continues to rise and climate change impacts intensify, it is crucial to develop targeted strategies to mitigate the risk and address the growing lung cancer burden in the region.