Medanta expert calls for a wider conversation about what puts people in Assam at risk
— By Dr. Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery & Lung Transplant at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram
Lung cancer is a health concern that deserves far greater attention than we give it. This disease is among the top five cancers in both men and women in India, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which makes awareness, early recognition and timely testing important for everyone. Another study, published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, revealed that in India, lung cancer accounts for more than 8% of all cancer-related deaths.
Tobacco remains the single biggest preventable risk factor for lung cancer, which makes this all the more important in the North East — the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2016–17 recorded tobacco use at significantly higher levels in this part of the country than the national average.
Quitting smoking helps — the body begins recovering soon after a person stops smoking, the benefits such as improvements in lung function and respiratory health begin almost immediately, and over time, the risks of heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer decline.
However, quitting does not completely eliminate the risk, and former smokers need to remain aware of symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is a long-standing myth that lung cancer is only a smoker’s disease. Increasingly, people — including patients as young as in their 20s — who have never touched a cigarette are also being diagnosed with the disease.
In short, the conversation around this deadly disease cannot stop at just smoking.
Exposure to second-hand smoke can increase the risk, and prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution can also damage the lungs. In parts of Assam, particularly in rural communities, women may spend years cooking with firewood or other solid fuels in poorly ventilated spaces. Continuous exposure to household smoke can have serious consequences for lung health.
Lung cancer is also often seen as a disease of elderly men, and this belief can delay people from seeking help. Younger people and women can develop it too. A persistent cough, blood while coughing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain or breathlessness should never be dismissed as a seasonal or routine respiratory problem, especially when the symptoms last.
Early diagnosis remains one of our strongest weapons against lung cancer. When detected at an early stage, surgery can potentially be a cure. Minimally invasive approaches such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery allow many tumours to be removed through smaller incisions, which means less pain and faster recovery.
Treatment has also moved forward for patients with lung cancer in an advanced stage. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have significantly expanded options, allowing treatment to be tailored to each person’s cancer.
In short, lung cancer is serious, but it is no longer a disease without hope. The earlier we diagnose it, the greater the chance of treating it effectively.
