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Every year on the first of August, the world unites to raise awareness about lung cancer, the most common and deadliest cancer globally. Lung cancer also poses a significant threat in India, accounting for 5.9% of all cancers and a troubling 8.1% of cancer deaths. Alarmingly, nearly 80% of lung cancer patients in India have a history of smoking, highlighting the critical connection between these two factors.

Many people with lung cancer in India are already in a late stage when diagnosed. This means the cancer has either spread within the lungs (locally advanced) or to other parts of the body (metastatic). Late diagnosis makes the cancer less treatable. Therefore, it is important to spread awareness of the early symptoms and provide patients opportunities to give a strong fight to the disease early on.

Warning Signs of Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer can sometimes cause symptoms that shouldn't be ignored. Here are some of the most common ones which people should be aware of:

• A persistent cough: This is a cough that doesn't go away, even after weeks or months.
• Chest pain: This pain can be sharp or dull and may worsen with coughing, laughing, or taking a deep breath.
• Shortness of breath: You might feel like you're constantly out of breath, even when you're not exerting yourself.
• Coughing up blood: Even a small amount of blood in your cough can be a sign of a problem.
• Unexplained weight loss: If you've lost weight without trying, it's important to see a doctor.
• Frequent lung infections: If you keep getting bronchitis or pneumonia, it could be a sign of lung cancer.

It is important to observe these symptoms and report them to your doctors without any delay to diagnose or rule out the chances of lung cancer. Mind you, these symptoms could also be caused by other disease conditions (non-cancerous).

Why World Lung Cancer Day Matters?

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer claims more lives annually than many other leading cancers put together. This stark reality underscores the need for heightened awareness.

M | O | C Cancer Care Joins the Fight Against Lung Cancer

At M | O | C, we are committed to closing the care gap for all patients, including those battling lung cancer. This World Lung Cancer Day, we echo the global call to action:

• Raise Awareness: M | O | C undertakes many awareness initiatives for lung cancer to ensure that the adequate information about the lung cancer symptoms, risk factors, screening protocols, means of keeping lung healthy etc can be made available for the benefit of society at large.
• Encourage Screening: Screening protocols are not well established for Lung cancer in India however specific complaints can be addressed by your doctors using diagnostic tests.
• Support Research: M | O | C engages in clinical research for lung as well as various other cancers to make way for newer medicines / treatments that can improve outcomes in patients and to repurpose existing treatments for newer cancer indications.

Treatment options for lung cancer have significantly improved in recent years, and survival rates are steadily increasing. We believe that continued efforts in these directions will play a vital role in promoting early detection and ultimately saving lives. By taking proactive steps, we can breathe easier and create a future where lung cancer is less devastating.

Dr. Sonal Dhande
DNB DNB
Cancer Physician
Hope - M | O | C, Nashik