{"id":169537,"date":"2025-11-08T10:05:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T10:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/169537\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T10:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T10:05:10","slug":"bengaluru-oncologist-warns-lung-cancer-is-rising-among-non-smokers-may-appear-as-dry-cough-fatigue-or-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/169537\/","title":{"rendered":"Bengaluru oncologist warns lung cancer is rising among non-smokers; \u2018may appear as dry cough, fatigue, or weight loss\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with 64 percent survival rates for early detection but only 8 percent for advanced stages. It accounts for an estimated 2 million diagnoses and 1.8 million deaths, as per the National Institutes of Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Not Not every cough is harmless, and not every lung cancer story begins with a cigarette. (Freepik) <\/p>\n

Also Read | AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist shares a common symptom that can turn deadly if ignored and potentially lead to cancer<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, with growing pollution and other lifestyle changes, the risk of lung cancer is also increasing. HT Lifestyle reached out to Dr Satheesh CT, senior consultant, medical oncology, HCG Cancer <\/a>Hospitals, K R Road, Bengaluru, to shed light on why there is a prevalence of cancer, particularly among non-smokers. \u201cNot every cough is harmless, and not every lung cancer story begins with a cigarette,\u201d the oncologist in turn cautioned.<\/p>\n

Why is lung cancer rising among non-smokers?<\/p>\n

Shedding light on the fact that lung cancer<\/a> is not confined to smokers only, Dr Satheesh warned, \u201cAcross the country, a greater number of non-smokers are being diagnosed with lung cancer, highlighting a concerning trend in the country\u2019s cancer landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Across Across the country, a greater number of non-smokers are being diagnosed with lung cancer. (Unsplash) <\/p>\n

The oncologist stated that the reason is that homemakers are exposed to kitchen smoke, children, and people commuting to the workplace, all of whom breathe in polluted air. \u201cThe PM2.5 has the tendency to enter our bloodstream, making our organs exposed and vulnerable to carcinogens,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Lung cancer cases among non-smokers are rising in India, with approximately 25-40 percent of cases occurring in non-smokers. Therefore, this sudden shift in the increasing influence of air pollution, second-hand smoke, and genetic predisposition is driving the increase in the number of cases amongst non-smokers.<\/p>\n

What this means in practical terms for caregivers and patients<\/p>\n