Early Detection of Lung Cancer can Save Lives
Context:
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the incidence of lung cancer is rising rapidly every year in India, contributing to 10% of cancer deaths.
More on news:
- Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
- India ranks fourth globally in terms of the absolute number of lung cancer cases, with 81,000 cases and 75,000 deaths reported in 2022. This number is expected to double by 2025.
- ICMR’s Evidence-Based Norms: ICMR is set to bring in evidence-based norms for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer.
- Median Age for Cancer Diagnosis: A study says the median age for cancer diagnosis is lower in India.
- AI-based lung cancer screening in Karnataka detected 133 lung nodule malignancies and nearly 3,000 TB-presumptive cases in the last 9 months.
World Lung Cancer Day 2024:
Lung Cancer in India: Key Issues and Advances:
- Increasing Prevalence and Contributing Factors: Rising air pollution and smoking have increased lung cancer rates, with pollution-related deaths up nearly 30% since 2007.
- Non-smokers are also at risk from second-hand smoke, occupational hazards, air pollution, hereditary factors, and chronic diseases; around 40% of patients in North India are non-smokers.
Late Detection and Poor Survival Rates:
- Lung cancer is often detected at Stage 3 or 4, leading to poor survival rates.
- Over half of patients have distant metastasis at diagnosis.
- Delays are due to inadequate screening, resource constraints, lack of structured referrals, and high TB burden.
- Early detection is vital as early-stage lung cancer is curable.
- Current methods, like chest X-rays and CT scans, have limitations in detecting early cancer.
Advances in Screening: Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT)
- LDCT, using five times less radiation than conventional CT scans, is the preferred early screening method.
- It lowers mortality by 20% compared to chest X-rays and 24% compared to no screening.
- LDCT identifies cancerous nodules or lesions years before symptoms, improving treatment options.
Overview Of Lung Cancer:
- Lung cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the lungs due to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It poses severe health risks and can lead to death.
Types:
- Non-Small Cell Carcinoma (NSCLC): More common, grows slowly.
- Small Cell Carcinoma (SCLC): Less common, grows quickly.
Primary Risk Factors:
- Smoking tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes).
Other Factors:
- Exposure to secondhand smoke, occupational hazards (asbestos, radon, chemicals), air pollution, hereditary cancer syndromes, and previous chronic lung diseases.
- Accumulation of harmful substances in the air, like particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), toxic metals, and gases (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide), can severely impact lung health and increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Prevention: Avoid smoking tobacco, Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and air pollution, Minimise exposure to workplace hazards like chemicals and asbestos
- Screening: Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) is recommended for high-risk individuals to detect the disease in its early stages, improving treatment outcomes.
- Treatment: Surgery, Radiotherapy (Radiation), Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy.
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