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Lung Cancer is 4th largest cancer and a grave issue in India. Every year, 68000 new cases are found in India with Lung cancer and 63000 die every year. One can say that the survival of patients with Lung cancer is very poor in India unfortunately because of 80% of them present with advanced or terminal stage of the disease. Its symptoms are ignored or lived with for a long time by those who suffer from it.

Smoking primarily triggers the onset of Lung Cancer in almost 60-70% of cases followed by other triggers like air pollutants and a few other reasons. Smoking is such an addiction that not only develops Lung Cancer but many other Lung related diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other respiratory problems. Smokers not only spoil their lungs with their deadly habit but also subject non-smokers around them to the risk of respiratory disease including Lung Cancer through second-hand smoke. Smokers, therefore, should be blamed for their fate as Lung Cancer in their case becomes 'Self Acquired - Self Destruction' phenomenon. Looking at it with a lens of optimism, Lung Cancer should be considered as a highly preventable disease in India if Smoking is quit.

Unfortunately, Smoking in India is glorified at various levels. To narrate an example, our highly celebrated Bollywood film industry often plays smoking by villains or lead actors for that matter to depict their so-called 'fearless / brave / high grade' attitudes in the cinema. Dialogues are written in such a way that promotes smoking as a fashion and a choice of those who do things differently. Only recently, such smoking scenes come with the disclaimer below, for the prohibition of smoking however the scene remains.

Their influence is such that people of India, especially youth eventually happen to carry that habit as a way of life and get addicted. Mumbai Oncocare Center calls it a 'Suicidal Tendency' and condemns glorification of Smoking!

Needless to say, "Smoking Kills"

Dr. Pritam Kalaskar; M.B.B.S, M.D [ Medicine], D.M (Medical Oncology)

Medical and Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist

Mumbai Oncocare Center