"For decades, smoking has been recognised as the leading cause of lung cancer.
While tobacco use continues to account for the majority of cases, today we are witnessing a concerning rise in lung cancer among people who have never smoked.
This changing trend highlights that lung cancer is no longer solely a smoker's disease, making it important to understand the multiple factors that contribute to its development."
He further explained that tobacco smoke directly damages lung tissue over time.
"Smoking remains the single biggest risk factor, with the chemicals in tobacco smoke damaging lung cells over time and increasing the likelihood of cancer.
Dr Surender Kumar Dabas, Chairman, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco Robotic Surgeries, Northwest Cluster, Manipal Hospital, stressed that smoking continues to remain the leading cause of lung cancer, but recent trends are changing how doctors view the disease.
"For decades, smoking has been recognised as the leading cause of lung cancer. While tobacco use continues to account for the majority of cases, today we are witnessing a concerning rise in lung cancer among people who have never smoked. This changing trend highlights that lung cancer is no longer solely a smoker's disease, making it important to understand the multiple factors that contribute to its development."
He further explained that tobacco smoke directly damages lung tissue over time.
"Smoking remains the single biggest risk factor, with the chemicals in tobacco smoke damaging lung cells over time and increasing the likelihood of cancer. However, second-hand smoke also poses a significant threat, particularly for individuals exposed to it regularly at home or in the workplace."
Second-hand smoke contains many of the same cancer-causing chemicals inhaled by smokers themselves. Children, spouses, and co-workers who breathe this smoke repeatedly may also face higher health risks despite never smoking.
This is one reason why smoke-free homes and workplaces matter. Protecting non-smokers is not just about comfort, it is about preventing disease years down the line.
