Can you get lung cancer if you don't smoke? Oncologist Dr Ankur Varshney explains why even non-smokers are at risk

Lung cancer causes about 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths annually, and is increasingly diagnosed in non-smokers.

Dr. Ankur Nandan Varshney, Senior Consultant at Medanta Hospital, Noida, says non-smokers face risks from polluted air, second-hand smoke, workplace chemicals, radon gas, kitchen smoke, and genetic factors.

Persistent cough and chest infections that resemble common illnesses can signal lung cancer and should not be ignored, as early diagnosis improves outcomes.

Dr. Varshney stresses that the misconception that lung cancer only affects smokers is dangerous, and awareness is key to timely treatment.