Lung Cancer Accounts for 6% of Cancer Cases in Karnataka, Data Shows
Lung cancer accounts for over 6% of all new cancer cases in Karnataka, continuing to present a major public health challenge. Ahead of World Lung Cancer Day observed on August 1, data released by the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) highlights the ongoing burden of the disease across the state and its capital, Bengaluru.
What Happened
Data from KMIO shows that in 2025, as many as 836 of the 13,576 new cancer cases diagnosed at the institute were lung cancer cases, representing 6.1% of the institute’s total cancer burden. The diagnosed cases at KMIO included 260 women. Lung cancer constituted 9% of all cancers diagnosed in men at the institute and 3.6% among women.
Statewide estimates for Karnataka in 2025 show approximately 89,215 new cancer cases, of which 5,503 were lung cancer (6.1% of all cancers). Among males in the state, 3,787 lung cancer cases were estimated, constituting 9.6% of all male cancers. Among females, 1,716 cases were estimated, accounting for 3.5% of all female cancers. Statewide lung cancer deaths were estimated at 2,048, including 1,377 deaths among males and 671 among females.
Bengaluru mirrors the statewide trends, with an estimated 15,693 new cancer cases in 2025, including 1,028 lung cancer cases (6.5% of all cancers). Lung cancer is estimated to cause 363 deaths in the city, comprising 240 men and 123 women.
Key Highlights
- Lung cancer represents 6.1% of total cancer cases diagnosed at KMIO and across Karnataka in 2025 estimates.
- An estimated 2,048 deaths in Karnataka are attributed to lung cancer in 2025.
- Bengaluru is projected to record 1,028 lung cancer cases and 363 deaths in 2025.
- Tobacco remains identified as the single most critical preventable risk factor.
- Non-tobacco contributors include air pollution, indoor air pollution, occupational exposure to carcinogens, asbestos, and radon.
- For India overall, 2024 projections estimated 1,12,659 new lung cancer cases and 98,687 deaths.
Why This Matters
Dr. R. Krishnappa, director (in charge) at KMIO, stated that the figures reflect an ongoing disease burden and underscore the need to strengthen prevention, early detection, timely treatment, and long-term follow-up care. Early diagnosis remains challenging because initial stages often produce few or non-specific symptoms.
Medical guidance advises that persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness, and recurrent respiratory infections should not be ignored, particularly among individuals with known risk factors.
What to Watch Next
According to health officials, key steps to reduce the disease burden include preventing tobacco use, encouraging cessation, protecting the public from second-hand smoke, and enforcing tobacco-control regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proportion of cancer cases in Karnataka are lung cancer?
Lung cancer accounts for approximately 6.1% of all estimated new cancer cases in Karnataka, as well as 6.1% of cases diagnosed at KMIO.
What are the primary risk factors for lung cancer identified in the report?
Tobacco is the single most important preventable risk factor. Other contributing factors include air pollution, indoor air pollution, occupational carcinogens, asbestos, and radon.
What symptoms are associated with early detection warnings?
Symptoms listed by medical professionals include persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness, and recurrent respiratory infections.
Source: Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology data as reported by The Hindu.