Dr. KVVR Lakshmi emphasizes the importance of early detection for improved survival.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, it accounts for 5.9% of all malignancies and 8.1% of cancer-related deaths in India.

Dr Lakshmi said -

“Early detection is very crucial since patients who have small early-stage lung cancer have a cure rate as high as 80 to 90 per cent. The main benefit of early screening is to lower the chance of dying from lung cancer, which accounts for many deaths in people who currently smoke or formerly smoked.”

Tests can detect lung cancer in early stages

Dr Lakshmi emphasized

“Screening with Low Dose CT (LDCT) and Chest X-rays are the most recommended screening test for early detection of lung cancers, especially in people who are active smokers or have a history of smoking.”

Screening tests are useful, but they are not perfect; some lung cancers and early-stage cases may be overlooked. Routine blood tests cannot detect lung cancer, but they can uncover genetic alterations in patients who have been diagnosed, particularly in the EGFR, KRAS, and ALK genes.

Pro-gastrin releasing peptides, Neuron Specific Enolase, Squamous cell carcinoma antigen, Soluble fragments of cytokeratin 19 (CyFRA 21-1), and Carcinoma embryonic antigen are all tumor indicators identified through biopsy.

Dr Lakshmi highlighted the importance of healthy habits in preventing lung cancer. She added -

“These include no smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke, lower exposure to workplace risk factors, and maintaining a proper weight by doing exercise or yoga regularly.”

She stated that smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and that 1/3 to 12% of all cancers can be avoided by following certain daily habits.

She concluded -

“The best activities for lung health are aerobic activities like walking, running, or jumping rope that give your heart and lungs the kind of workout they need to function efficiently.”