Assessment of Risk Factors of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers In India

Abstract

One of the most persistent public health problems of the contemporary world is Cancer.A number of risk factors including environmental factors, occupational factors, sociodemographic factors, infection causing lung diseases amongst others predispose to lung cancer. Although smoking is the most common factor leading to lung cancer, some other factors also predispose to the acquisition of this disease in a person’ s lifetime. In India, squamous cell type is the most common among the smoking population whereas adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer among the non-smokers. Although lung cancer is mainly associated with smoking among young adults and elders, 10-15% of the cases of lung cancer have been detected in people who have never smoked in their lifetime. Risk Factors of lung cancer in non smokers include - environment factors, indoor air pollution, Environmental tobacco smoke, occupational factors like people who are exposed to factors like asbestos, chromium, nickel, radiation exposure, family history, infections etc. Various investigations are helpful in the diagnosis of lung cancer like: chest x-ray, CT, Bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound scan (EBUS). The primordial prevention to combat lung cancer is to minimize the chemical, physical and biological carcinogens. Lung cancer seems to have a very poor prognosis if it is diagnosed at a very advanced stage. Stress has been laid upon selecting the least invasive and least toxic combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients. This study aims to present a collaborative and concise knowledge of the various non- smoking risk factors and the molecular mechanisms contributing to lung cancer in India. It aims to make the readers aware and conscious and encourage them to avoid exposure to these risk factors.The data produced in this article is an amalgamation of various peer reviewed published articles on Google Scholar and Pubmed. This data can be compared to that of other countries in Asia as well as in other continents. The advantage of the similarities of the risk factors between various countries can help us to devise competent and collaborative efforts to combat the disease in its early stages and thus decrease the mortality of the nation. Interventions that have been proved successful in other nations in this context can be implemented in India and vice versa. The study can be further expanded to include the risk factors of lung cancer in the other countries at a global level, thus taking the necessary steps to decrease its incidences. Hence, we need to make utmost use of the technology that is available to us. This would improve the potential of outcome in patients of lung cancers and increase their lifespan.