World Lung Cancer Day 2026: GCRI Calls for Early Detection, Tobacco-Free Life

GANDHINAGAR : Lung cancer continues to claim thousands of lives every year, but health experts say many of these deaths can be prevented through tobacco cessation and early diagnosis. On World Lung Cancer Day 2026, the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad, launched a fresh awareness drive, urging people to quit tobacco and seek timely screening to improve survival rates.

The campaign is being carried out under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya, as part of the Gujarat government’s commitment to strengthening cancer care.

According to GLOBOCAN 2022, India records more than 1.12 lakh new lung cancer cases and over 98,000 deaths every year. Worldwide, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with nearly 2.6 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths annually.

GCRI data also shows a steady rise in cases. The institute treated 4,830 lung cancer patients between 2021 and 2025. Of these, 3,931 patients (81.4%) were men, while 899 (18.6%) were women.

Health experts said smoking bidis, cigarettes and other tobacco products remains the biggest risk factor. Passive smoking, air pollution and prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals such as asbestos also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

“Quitting tobacco, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting screened at the earliest signs are the most effective ways to prevent lung cancer and improve treatment outcomes,” GCRI said in its awareness message.

Doctors advised people not to ignore symptoms such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, breathing difficulty, voice changes or unexplained weight loss.

Established in 1972, GCRI offers advanced treatment facilities, including robotic surgery, PET-CT, 3 Tesla MRI, CyberKnife, TrueBeam and immunotherapy. Many treatments are available free of cost or at subsidised rates under government schemes such as PMJAY-MA.

With its World Lung Cancer Day campaign, GCRI has appealed to citizens with a simple message: “Quit Tobacco, Save Your Lungs – Get Screened Early, Save Life.”