Lung Cancer Becomes India’s Deadliest Cancer: Why Cases Are Being Detected Too Late

Lung cancer has emerged as the leading cause of cancer deaths in India, according to the latest Global Cancer Observatory data. In 2024, lung cancer accounted for 98,687 deaths, or 10.9% of all cancer deaths in India, up from 75,031 deaths in 2022. 

The increase is particularly concerning because many patients are diagnosed only after the disease has reached an advanced stage, when treatment becomes more difficult.

Lung Cancer Is Rising in India

The latest data also shows an increase in new cases. India recorded around 1.12 lakh new lung cancer cases in 2024, representing 7.2% of all cancer cases. In 2022, there were about 81,748 cases, or 5.8% of all cancer cases. 

That means lung cancer moved from fourth to third place in incidence between 2022 and 2024, while becoming the country's leading cancer killer.

Why Is It Often Detected Late?

One major problem is that early lung cancer may produce no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can resemble much more common respiratory conditions.

A persistent cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort or repeated respiratory infections may initially be attributed to infections, asthma or other lung problems. In India, tuberculosis can also complicate the diagnostic picture. 

By the time symptoms become severe enough to prompt extensive investigation, the cancer may already have spread.

India Does Not Yet Have a National Lung Cancer Screening Programme

India's public screening programme at primary health centres currently focuses on breast, cervical and oral cancers, rather than lung cancer. 

An expert statement published in India has also noted that the country does not have a formal national lung-cancer screening programme. It identifies challenges including the country's different risk patterns, healthcare access and the need to determine which populations should receive screening. 

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Tobacco remains the most important established risk factor for lung cancer. But it is not the only one.

The World Health Organization identifies exposure to tobacco smoke, outdoor and household air pollution and occupational hazards among important lung-cancer risks. 

India also has particular exposure patterns involving bidi smoking, biomass-fuel smoke and air pollution. An Indian expert review highlighted these factors when discussing risk-based screening in the country. 

Importantly, not every lung-cancer patient is a smoker. Cases among non-smokers, including women, have also received increasing attention from Indian cancer specialists.

Can Earlier Screening Reduce Deaths?

There is growing evidence that screening carefully selected high-risk individuals with low-dose CT (LDCT) can detect lung cancer earlier.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported in September 2026 that its review found LDCT screening of high-risk individuals reduces lung-cancer mortality and reduces the incidence of late-stage disease. 

However, screening everyone is not the same as screening people at elevated risk. CT screening involves costs, follow-up investigations and the possibility of false-positive findings, so determining the appropriate population and healthcare infrastructure is important.

Warning Signs Should Not Be Ignored

Possible symptoms can include:

• A cough that does not go away
• Breathlessness
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• Repeated lung infections

These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer, but persistent or concerning symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Why It Matters

India's lung-cancer challenge is not simply about the number of cases. The combination of rising incidence, high mortality and late diagnosis makes early recognition and timely access to diagnosis and treatment particularly important.

WHO notes that cancer outcomes generally improve when disease is identified and treated earlier.

What Happens Next?

The debate around lung-cancer screening in India is increasingly shifting toward a risk-based approach: identifying people most likely to benefit from early detection while ensuring that diagnostic and treatment services are available when abnormalities are found.

At the same time, reducing tobacco exposure and improving air quality remain important prevention measures. 

TVR Perspective

India's growing lung-cancer burden highlights a gap between detecting disease early and treating it after it becomes advanced. The challenge is not simply introducing more tests; it is identifying high-risk people appropriately, recognising warning signs sooner and ensuring that diagnosis leads quickly to effective treatment.

Sources & Verification

This report was verified against the latest Global Cancer Observatory figures reported by The Indian Express, WHO and IARC material on lung cancer, screening and risk factors, as well as an Indian expert statement on lung-cancer screening. 

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