High rates of smoking and exposure to environmental pollutants also continue to drive lung cancer incidence, making prevention and early detection challenging.
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Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide due to a combination of factors, including high incidence rates, late diagnosis, and limited treatment options. Early symptoms are often subtle, so it’s typically diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited, and survival rates are lower. Furthermore, lung cancer can spread quickly to other organs, complicating treatment. Although advances in screening and targeted therapies have improved outcomes, these are often inaccessible to many. High rates of smoking and exposure to environmental pollutants also continue to drive incidence, making prevention and early detection challenging.
Dr. Sewanti Limaye, Director – Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai shares the primary reasons:
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- Prevalence of SmokingDespite efforts to reduce smoking rates, tobacco use remains a major risk factor for lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens that damage lung tissue, and long-term exposure significantly increases the likelihood of developing cancer. Even though smoking rates have declined in many countries, there are still large populations where smoking remains common.
- Late DiagnosisLung cancer often doesn’t present symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. Early symptoms like persistent cough or shortness of breath are commonly mistaken for less serious conditions, and there are no routine screening methods for the general population. By the time lung cancer is diagnosed, it is often too late for curative treatments.
- Aggressive Nature of the DiseaseLung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is aggressive and can spread quickly to other parts of the body. This makes it more difficult to treat effectively. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), while less common, is even more aggressive and harder to treat.
- Limited Effective Screening and TreatmentAlthough advancements in treatments, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy, have improved survival rates, they are not universally accessible and can be expensive. Screening tools, like low-dose CT scans, are available but not widely used in many parts of the world, and the lack of early detection limits the effectiveness of treatments.
- Environmental and Occupational FactorsIn addition to smoking, exposure to environmental pollutants, asbestos, and radon can increase the risk of lung cancer. In many parts of the world, these risks remain prevalent, further contributing to the high mortality rates.Overall, these factors combined make lung cancer one of the deadliest cancers, with prevention, early detection, and access to care still key challenges.
