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Global Desk November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about one of the world’s most dangerous cancers and remind people that it’s not just a “smoker’s disease.” Non-smokers are also getting diagnosed due to air pollution, passive smoke, and genetic factors, doctors warn. Early signs often look harmless — a lingering cough, breathlessness, or tiredness that people usually ignore — but catching lung cancer early can save lives. The campaign this month focuses on encouraging regular screenings, especially low-dose CT scans for high-risk individuals, and on reminding people that quitting smoking truly helps, as per the TOI report. Lung health can recover over time with good nutrition, exercise, and clean air, so it’s never too late to start caring for your lungs. Early warning signs doctors say you must not ignoreDr. Anadi Pachaury, Associate Director and Unit Head of Surgical Oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, said many people mistake early lung cancer signs for normal chest or seasonal problems. He warned to watch for a cough that doesn’t go away for weeks, chest pain, hoarse voice, shortness of breath, or constant tiredness. Repeated chest infections or even small amounts of blood in the sputum should be taken seriously, according to a report by TOI.Dr. Arun Kumar Goel, Chairman of Surgical Oncology at Andromeda Cancer Hospital, said lung cancer signs may look mild in the beginning but should never be ignored. He said to look for a cough that lasts more than three weeks, blood in sputum, chest or back pain, frequent chest infections, voice changes, weight loss, or tiredness. These signs are more serious for smokers and people who live in areas with high pollution.Smoking and risk — but non-smokers aren’t safe eitherBoth experts explained that cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which damage DNA in lung cells and cause cancer. The longer and heavier someone smokes, the higher the risk, but non-smokers can also get lung cancer from air pollution, secondhand smoke, and genetics.Live EventsHow to lower your risk“The most powerful step to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking completely—there’s no safe limit,” say the experts, as per the report by TOI. They advise avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing air pollution exposure, and using clean fuels and air purifiers at home. Wear protective masks on high-pollution days and keep your home well-ventilated. People with a heavy smoking history should talk to their doctor about annual low-dose CT scans for early detection. Regular health checkups and vaccinations for flu and pneumonia also help maintain long-term lung health. Lifestyle, food, and fitness matterDr. Pachaury said good food and regular exercise can keep your lungs healthy. Eat green leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts because they have antioxidants that protect your cells. Stay active — exercise helps more oxygen reach your lungs and keeps them strong. Avoid junk food, alcohol, and polluted air.Dr. Goel said living a balanced life makes your lungs stronger. Eat turmeric, fruits, and green vegetables. Avoid fried or processed food. Do exercise for 30–45 minutes every day. This helps you breathe better, stay fit, and improve lung power. Practice deep breathing or pranayama for strong lungs.Advice for ex-smokersDr. Goel said people who quit smoking should never start again and must get their lungs checked every year. Those aged 50–80 who smoked heavily should do a low-dose CT scan. Eat healthy, stay active, and stay away from pollution and secondhand smoke to lower the risk of lung cancer.Dr. Pachaury added that even after quitting, people should continue living a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, exercise regularly, and go for periodic health checks”, as per the report by TOI. He said lung function and cancer risk improve steadily after quitting, as the body heals over time. Myths doctors want to breakA major myth is that lung cancer only happens to smokers — this is false. Anyone can get it, especially those exposed to pollution or genetics. Another wrong belief is that quitting smoking doesn’t help once lungs are damaged — but that’s not true. Benefits of quitting start within weeks, and the risk keeps dropping every year.Early detection gives the best chance of cure, and new treatments are improving survival rates. Persistent cough or breathlessness must never be ignored, and no herbal remedy can fix DNA damage from smoking, doctors warn.FAQsQ1. Can non-smokers also get lung cancer?Yes, non-smokers can get lung cancer due to air pollution, secondhand smoke, or genetic reasons, not just smoking.Q2. What are the early signs of lung cancer to watch for?A cough lasting weeks, breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, or blood in sputum can be early warning signs.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onlung cancer symptomsearly signs of lung cancerlung cancer awareness monthlung cancer preventionquit smoking tipslung healthlung cancer risk factorslung cancer screeningair pollution and lung cancer (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onlung cancer symptomsearly signs of lung cancerlung cancer awareness monthlung cancer preventionquit smoking tipslung healthlung cancer risk factorslung cancer screeningair pollution and lung cancer(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless
