Symptoms of lung cancer: Oncologist warns even non-smokers need to be careful about early warning signs

Lung cancer was almost always linked to smoking and late diagnoses. But today in India, the trend is startling: thousands of people who have never touched a cigarette are being diagnosed with lung cancer, proving the disease is no longer confined to smokers.

"Lung cancer continues to claim more lives than any other cancer worldwide,” Dr Minish Jain, Director of Medical Oncology, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, tells Moneycontrol. “In India, nearly half of all lung cancer patients are non-smokers,” he adds.

The rise, he explains, is closely tied to daily exposure to polluted air, both indoors from cooking fuels and outdoors from urban fumes — as well as certain workplace hazards. The greater challenge is awareness. Many non-smokers underestimate their risk, assuming they are protected simply because they never smoked.

Also read | Why are so many young people getting lung cancer, and what can be done?

Symptoms of lung cancer

But early symptoms of lung cancer — persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, weight loss or repeated infections — are too often dismissed or blamed on ageing, seasonal changes or mild respiratory issues. As a result, a large number of patients still reach the hospital when the disease is already advanced.

Until recently, lung cancer was treated as one uniform disease. But modern research has changed that understanding completely. “What was once a single diagnosis is now seen as a complex family of subtypes, each driven by different biological pathways,” says Dr Jain.

This shift has ushered in precision medicine, where biomarkers guide treatment choices. Instead of a one-size-fits-all plan, therapy is now tailored to the patient’s individual cancer profile.

The impact has been remarkable. “We are witnessing a new era where long-term survival is becoming a reality,” Dr Jain shares. Patients with hard-to-treat lung cancers are now living beyond five years, something rare two decades ago.

Modern teatment

• New treatment offers meaningful survival benefits even for frail patients.
• Helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
• Provides improved quality of life with better tolerability than traditional chemotherapy.

Precision medicine

• Biomarkers help identify the exact subtype of cancer.
• Enables the use of targeted treatments with higher effectiveness and fewer side effects.

New hope for aggressive cancers

• Small-cell lung cancer once had limited treatment options.
• Immunotherapy has reshaped care, especially for older adults or those unable to tolerate harsh chemotherapy.

Despite these advances, Dr Jain stresses that early diagnosis is still our greatest opportunity. “Detecting lung cancer sooner not only improves survival but also allows patients to maintain a better quality of life—an outcome just as important as extending lifespan.” As India faces this shifting landscape, awareness becomes the first line of defence. Lung cancer may be changing, but with vigilance, science and timely care, the odds are changing too.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.