Overview

• High-risk individuals, including non-smokers exposed to air pollution and indoor emissions, are being urged to undergo low-dose CT scans for early detection and improved survival rates.
• India is projected to record about 81,200 lung cancer cases in 2025, reflecting a sharp increase driven in part by hazardous outdoor and household air quality.
• The Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus has issued guidelines demanding urgent, coordinated measures to tackle environmental carcinogens and genetic risk factors beyond tobacco.
• Research indicates EGFR mutations are common in non-smoker patients and their tumours respond well to targeted oral therapies, with significant tumour shrinkage observed within months.
• Experts caution that early symptoms—such as persistent cough, breathlessness or chest pain—are often misattributed to benign conditions, underscoring the need for greater public awareness and timely evaluation.