Lung cancer accounts for 6% of cancer cases in Karnataka; tobacco remains biggest risk factor

Lung cancer constitutes 9% of all cancers diagnosed in men at the institute and 3.6% among women. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Lung cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Karnataka, accounting for over 6% of all new cancer cases in the State.According to data released by the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) ahead of World Lung Cancer Day observed on August 1, as many as 836 of the 13,576 new cancer cases diagnosed in 2025 at KMIO, were lung cancer cases. This accounts for 6.1% of the institute’s total cancer burden. The 836 lung cancer cases included 260 women. Lung cancer constituted 9% of all cancers diagnosed in men at the institute and 3.6% among women.Kidwai director (in charge) R. Krishnappa told The Hindu that the figures reflected th