Lung cancer's becoming a bigger issue in Karnataka,making up over 6% of new cancer diagnoses . Data from Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) shows that in 2025,836 out of 13,576 new cancer cases were due to lung cancer . That's 6.1% of the total cancer load at the institute, with 260 cases in women.
Gender gap is clear: lung cancer hit 9% of all cancers in men, but only 3.6% in women. R. Krishnappa, director at Kidwai,stressed need for better prevention, early detection,and treatment efforts. He said the numbers show lung cancer's ongoing burden in region.
Tobacco use is top risk factor for lung cancer, Krishnappa said. Tobacco's the biggest preventable cause of this disease. So stopping tobacco use,promoting quitting,shielding people from second-hand smoke,and enforcing strict tobacco laws are key.
For Karnataka in 2025, projections suggest about 89,215 new cancer cases. Lung cancer's expected to account for 5,503 cases,or 6.1% of all cancers. Breakdown: 3,787 cases in men (9.6% of cancers in men), 1,716 cases in women (3.5% of female cancers).
Lung cancer's toll goes beyond diagnosis to death, with 2,048 deaths in Karnataka expected. Includes 1,377 male deaths,671 female deaths. Bengaluru mirrors state trend: projections show 15,693 new cancer cases in 2025, including 1,028 lung cancer cases, 6.5% of all cancers. Lung cancer expected to cause 363 deaths in Bengaluru, with 240 men,123 women among fatalities.
Krishnappa noted lung cancer risks aren't just tobacco. Air pollution, workplace carcinogens,indoor pollution,substances like asbestos and radon add to disease's reach. Early detection's tough due to vague early symptoms.
Symptoms such as persistent cough, coughing blood,chest pain, unexplained weight loss,breathlessness, and recurrent respiratory infections shouldn't be ignored,especially for those with known risks. Worldwide, lung cancer leads in cancer deaths, with 2.48 million new cases, 13.2% of all cancers,and 1.86 million deaths.
In India,situation's grim,with 2024 projections estimating 112,659 new lung cancer cases and 98,687 deaths, making it one of country's deadliest cancers. Stats push need for better public health strategies to fight this widespread disease.
