Lung cancer is increasingly becoming a serious public health concern in India. Recent data shows that nearly one lakh (100,000) new lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the country each year.  What makes this rise particularly alarming is that it is not limited to traditional high-risk groups; more and more cases are now being reported in non-smokers, especially women. 

Key Drivers of Rising Lung Cancer Risk

Air Pollution
One of the most significant emerging risk factors is air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Expert assessments attribute a growing portion of lung cancer cases to long-term exposure to pollutants from vehicles, industries, and burning of biomass.  In busy Indian cities like Delhi, toxic air quality is increasingly being blamed for lung cancer even among non-smokers. Studies have also shown a strong correlation between PM2.5 exposure and lung cancer incidence in southern Indian cities, with higher cancer rates and lower survival seen among those in high-pollution areas. 

Tobacco Use
Tobacco remains a major culprit. India has one of the largest populations of tobacco users in the world, with both smoking and second-hand smoke contributing significantly to lung cancer risk.  However, the picture is becoming more complex, as non-smokers too are increasingly contributing to the disease burden.

Indoor Pollution
In many rural households, cooking with biomass fuels like wood, cow dung, and coal releases carcinogenic smoke.  This exposure is often long-term and disproportionately affects women, who typically spend more time near stoves or indoor fires.

Occupational and Environmental Hazards
Certain jobs expose workers to carcinogens such as silica, asbestos, and heavy metals.  In addition, industrial emissions and open waste burning further pollute the air, elevating cancer risks.

Genetic and Lifestyle Factors
Genetic predisposition also plays a role, especially in non-smokers. Experts suggest that certain mutations may make individuals more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of pollutants. Meanwhile, changing lifestyle patterns — including poor diet, alcohol use, and sedentary living — may weaken the body’s defenses, making it more susceptible to cancer.

The Human Toll and Public Health Challenges

Every year in India, nearly 60,000 people die from lung cancer, according to recent projections. Moreover, many lung cancer cases are diagnosed late, limiting treatment options and lowering survival rates.  The tragic part is that lung cancer among non-smokers often goes undetected until advanced stages because symptoms like persistent cough or chest pain are easily dismissed.

Additionally, the burden of pollution-linked cancer is especially heavy in low- and middle-income regions of India.  In many of these areas, environmental regulations are weak, and awareness about risks is low.

What Needs to Be Done

To tackle this growing crisis, experts recommend:

Stronger public policies: Enforcing stricter air quality norms, curbing industrial emissions, and reducing biomass fuel usage in homes.

Tobacco control: Enhancing anti-smoking campaigns, increasing access to tobacco-cessation programs, and protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

Early detection: Promoting screening for high-risk individuals using low-dose CT scans, especially in heavily polluted areas or among people with occupational exposure.

Public awareness: Educating people about the risk of lung cancer even without smoking, and encouraging behavior changes (like better cooking ventilation, protective equipment for workers).

Research and infrastructure: Expanding cancer registry coverage, funding research on pollution-linked cancer, and improving access to modern diagnostic and treatment facilities.