World Lung Cancer Day 2025: Not Every Lung Cancer Starts with a Cough

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. On World Lung Cancer Day 2025, doctors stress that the disease is no longer only a smoker’s illness. Increasingly, it is being found in non-smokers and women, often diagnosed at later stages when treatment becomes more difficult.

Why the Risk Profile Is Changing

Dr. Hemanth G N, Consultant – Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery at Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, explains: “We are now seeing more lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked. Air pollution, family history, and secondhand smoke exposure are important risk factors.”

Why Early Signs Are Often Missed

The most common type today is non-small cell lung cancer. In its early stages, it may not cause any symptoms at all. Many patients are diagnosed only by chance when scans are done for other reasons.

“This silent nature of lung cancer is one of the biggest challenges. Patients often come to us when the cancer has already advanced, which makes treatment more complicated,” says Dr. Hemanth.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer to Watch For

Doctors caution that a cough lasting more than three weeks is a major red flag. But there are other symptoms that people often overlook, including:

Frequent chest infections like pneumonia, especially in the same area
Shortness of breath even while resting
Hoarseness or changes in voice
Unexplained weight loss, tiredness, or loss of appetite
Chest pain, shoulder aches, or back pain that doesn’t go away
Headaches, vomiting, or confusion, in rare cases, where cancer spreads to the brain

“These symptoms are often mistaken for minor issues like allergies, infections, or ageing. But if they persist, they must be checked quickly,” Dr. Hemanth stresses.

Changing Risk Patterns

"While smoking remains the top cause, the patient profile is shifting. “More non-smokers are being diagnosed now. For cities like Bengaluru, where air quality is a growing concern, this risk is even higher,” Dr. Hemanth explains.

Why Screening Matters

Doctors recommend that high-risk people, especially current or former smokers, undergo regular low-dose CT scans. This can detect lung cancer at an early stage, even before symptoms appear.

“A low-dose CT scan is simple but lifesaving. For those at higher risk, it’s the best tool to catch the disease early and improve survival chances,” says Dr. Hemanth.