Lung cancer accounts for 6% of cancer cases in Karnataka; tobacco remains biggest risk factor

Lung cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Karnataka, accounting for over 6% of all new cancer cases in the State.

According to data released by the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) ahead of World Lung Cancer Day observed on August 1, as many as 836 of the 13,576 new cancer cases diagnosed in 2025 at KMIO, were lung cancer cases. This accounts for 6.1% of the institute’s total cancer burden. 

The 836 lung cancer cases included 260 women. Lung cancer constituted 9% of all cancers diagnosed in men at the institute and 3.6% among women.

Kidwai director (in charge) R. Krishnappa told The Hindu that the figures reflected the continuing burden of lung cancer and underscored the need to strengthen prevention, early detection, timely treatment and long-term follow-up.

Tobacco biggest risk factor

“Tobacco remains the single most important preventable risk factor for lung cancer. Preventing tobacco use, encouraging cessation, protecting people from second-hand smoke and enforcing tobacco-control laws are essential to reducing the disease burden,” he said.

The estimated cancer 2025 statistics for Karnataka show approximately 89,215 new cancer cases, of which 5,503 were lung cancer, accounting for 6.1% of all cancers. Among males, 3,787 lung cancer cases were estimated, constituting 9.6% of all cancers in men. Among females, 1,716 cases were estimated, accounting for 3.5% of all cancers in women.

2048 deaths

Lung cancer was estimated to cause 2,048 deaths in Karnataka, including 1,377 deaths among males and 671 deaths among females, according to data.

Bengaluru mirrors the State trend. The city is estimated to record 15,693 new cancer cases in 2025, including 1,028 lung cancer cases, accounting for 6.5% of all cancers. Lung cancer is estimated to cause 363 deaths in the city, including 240 men and 123 women.

Dr. Krishnappa said the burden of lung cancer extended beyond tobacco use, with air pollution, occupational exposure to carcinogens, indoor air pollution and substances such as asbestos and radon also contributing to the risk.

Early detection key

He stressed that early diagnosis remained a challenge because lung cancer often produces few or non-specific symptoms in its initial stages. “Persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness and recurrent respiratory infections should not be ignored, especially in individuals with known risk factors,” he said.

Globally, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to 2022 global cancer estimates, there were about 2.48 million new lung cancer cases worldwide -13.2% of all cancers – and 1.86 million deaths. In India, an estimated 1,12,659 new lung cancer cases and 98,687 deaths are projected for 2024, making it one of the country’s deadliest cancers.