India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 01 August 2025
On the occasion of Lung Cancer Day, renowned oncosurgeon Prof Dr Raj Nagarkar, MD & Chief of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Services at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, has urged for urgent public attention to the rising incidence of lung cancer in India, calling it a growing but beatable health crisis.
“Lung cancer accounts for 5.9 per cent of all cancers in India. Yet, awareness remains dangerously low,” says Dr Nagarkar. “Most patients are diagnosed late, by which time curative treatment becomes difficult. Early detection through regular screening, especially for high-risk individuals like smokers and those living in urban, polluted environments, can drastically improve outcomes.”
Also Read: How Robotic Assisted Surgery Is Redefining Precision in Kidney Transplants
While lung cancer has historically been associated with smoking, Dr Nagarkar noted an increasing number of cases in non-smokers, citing air pollution, genetic mutations, occupational exposures and second-hand smoke as rising contributors.
“Anyone with a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss or breathlessness should get checked. Don’t wait,” adds Dr Nagarkar.
HCG Manavata Cancer Centre offers a multidisciplinary, patient-centric approach, with the latest in minimally invasive robotic surgery; chemotherapy & immunotherapy; high-precision radiation therapy and targeted therapies based on genetic profiling.
“With technologies like robotic-assisted lobectomy and advanced diagnostics, we aim to offer safer, faster and more effective care, especially for younger patients and those with complex conditions. Additionally, with the availability of molecular testing and advanced targeted and immunotherapy medications, the outcomes of lung cancer have improved even in advanced stages. However, with timely diagnosis and the right treatment strategy, survival and quality of life can both be remarkably improved. Let’s start by talking about it,” concludes Dr Nagarkar.
