Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, nearly 9 in 10 lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking, furthermore, the American Lung Association also suggests that 85 to 90% of all lung cancer cases happen due to smoking. However, recent cases have seen a rise in lung cancer even in those who do not smoke. This is such a case of a 31-year-old woman from Ghaziabad, who never smoked in her life, and then she coughed up blood. While initially she was given some drugs which had given her some relief, she was soon complaining of a chest pain. She feared she had a lung infection and went to clinic of Dr Arvind Kumar, chairman, Lung Transplant, Chest Surgery and Oncosurgery at Medanta, Gurugram, as reported by The Indian Express. “An X-ray showed a mass in the upper part of her left lung. A biopsy confirmed stage 2 lung cancer, a treatable window. She is disease-free and has returned to work but her case shows a disturbing trend,” said the doctor.Lung Cancer Is No Longer A Smoker's But A Breather's Disease"Younger non-smokers are being diagnosed. And there are as many women as men. This indicates that lung cancer is no longer a smoker’s but a breather’s disease. While we talk of particulate matter, the ambient air in the urban environment is full of carcinogenic gases. And this is emerging as a real threat to everybody," the doctor said. The doctor also pointed out that especially in non-smokers the diagnosis may come even at a later stage as they usually never think of cancer because they have never smoked. "Luckily my patient had made the right call at the first stop. Most patients don't," he said. Is Pollution The Reason For Cancer In Non Smokers?People talk about prevention and wearing masks in public places. We breathe 25,000 times a day, which makes it difficult to wear a mask all day. Besides, a mask only stops particulate matter, which is minor protection considering that carcinogens come in gaseous form. Be it benzene, ethylene oxide, radon, ozone, all are triggers,” explained Dr Kumar. He also highlighted that Ghaziabad is in fact one of India's most polluted cities and this could be linked to cancer.Studies show that PM2.5 — the tiny particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers — can carry harmful substances like sulphates, organic chemicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. These toxins are known carcinogens, and long-term exposure to them can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer.Back To The PatientThe doctor revealed that one of her lobes was affected and localized, thus the doctors chose minimally invasive methods. "Her biopsy revealed her cancer to be moderately aggressive, so we followed it up with chemotherapy, which kills any hidden and remnant cancer cells. She was given up to six cycles. Over the years, data has shown that about 30 to 55 per cent of lung cancer patients die because of recurrence post-surgery. That’s why now we consider lung cancer to be a widespread disease from Day 1. And recommend post-surgery chemotherapy," he explained. The woman was able to go to work after three to four weeks and physiotherapy, a high-calorie, high-protein diet also helped her recover fast. Her breath holding time too exceeded 40 seconds and tests showed that all her six lymph nodes were safe and that cancer had not spread there.
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