‘4,397 lung cancer patients treated in five years at GCRI'
The figures were released on the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, observed annually on Aug 1.
"Out of the total patients, 82% or 3,597 were men, as smoking and tobacco consumption emerged as major risk factors. Compared to 813 patients in 2021, the number increased to 1,086 in 2024," said a GCRI official. "Out of the total, 1,426 were from other states of India."
Dr Shashank Pandya, director of GCRI, said that awareness is key for early detection and intervention.
"Early screening, quitting tobacco, and recognising warning signs can save lives," he said.
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GCRI officials added that more than 40% of lung cancer cases in India are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to limited awareness, making treatment more complex and outcomes less favourable. GCRI has especially appealed to high-risk people, such as long-term smokers and those exposed to environmental pollutants, to undergo low-dose CT scans for early screening. tnn
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