Every year on August 1st, the world comes together to observe World Lung Cancer Day — a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most common and deadliest cancers globally. Lung cancer claims more lives annually than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined, yet it often remains overshadowed in public discourse. This day serves not only to spotlight the burden of the disease but also to advocate for early detection, improved treatments, patient support, and, most importantly, prevention through tobacco control and clean air initiatives. As we mark this important occasion, it is crucial to understand the risk factors, symptoms, and strategies for reducing the impact of lung cancer — and to stand in solidarity with those affected by it.
Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and remains one of the deadliest, with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. In 2018, it accounted for 18.4% of all cancer-related deaths, resulting in approximately 1.8 million deaths globally. The most widely-referenced current lung cancer prevalence and mortality figures in Nigeria are those from the 2020 estimates of the WHO Global Cancer Observatory, which ranks lung and airway cancer as 14th in Nigeria, with 1789 new cases and 1643 deaths annually (about 2.1% of overall cancer-related deaths).
A Disease with Preventable Roots
The primary cause of lung cancer remains tobacco use. In Sub-Saharan Africa, tobacco use is growing, especially among young people and women. The tobacco industry has increasingly targeted African markets, leading to increased cigarette availability, advertising, and use. In addition to active smoking, many people are exposed to secondhand smoke, particularly in crowded homes or workplaces.
Several studies have indicated that lung cancer can develop in non-smokers, which means there are other risk factors that contribute to lung cancer. According to Lo et al., the risk factors for lung cancer in patients who never smoked include exposure to radon, passive smoke, occupational carcinogens and history of lung disease.
As highlighted earlier, smoking is not the only risk factor. In many African households, biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal are still used for cooking in poorly ventilated kitchens. This indoor air pollution significantly increases the risk of chronic respiratory illnesses and, eventually, lung cancer. Outdoor air pollution, especially in rapidly growing urban areas, is also an increasing concern.
Occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos, silica dust, and diesel exhaust, common in mining, construction, and industrial work, further compounds the risk.
Signs to Take Seriously
One of the major challenges with lung cancer is that its early symptoms are often ignored or mistaken for common respiratory infections like tuberculosis or pneumonia. Local data spanning over 40 years consistently indicate that a significant number of lung cancer patients in Nigeria present at an advanced stage of the disease, when treatment options are limited, prognosis is poor, and long-term survival is unlikely. Thus, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs. They include:
- Persistent cough that doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Voice changes
Prevention and Early Action Save Lives
The good news is that many lung cancer cases are preventable. The most effective step anyone can take is to quit smoking or never start. Public education, stronger tobacco control laws, smoke-free policies, and taxation on cigarettes can make a huge difference.
Under the 2005 Nigerian National Tobacco Control Act, smoking is restricted in specific public areas designated as smoke-free zones. These include indoor public spaces and workplaces, public transportation services, and certain outdoor areas such as restaurants, bars, playgrounds, amusement parks, public parks, bus stops, car parks, and seaports, among other places where people gather. The primary aim of this legislation is to protect non-smokers from involuntary (second-hand) exposure to tobacco smoke and its associated health risks, particularly lung cancer. However, despite its intent, enforcement of the law appears to be weak, with widespread noncompliance observed in many of these areas. Government should be more intentional in enforcing this law.
Additionally, we must promote cleaner cooking methods, such as LPG or electric stoves, improve air quality in cities and workplaces and encourage regular health checks, especially for people over 50 or those with a history of smoking or occupational exposure.
Community Action is Key
Combating lung cancer requires collective effort from individuals, communities, and governments. Health professionals must be trained to recognize early signs. Public awareness campaigns must dispel myths, reduce stigma, and encourage early care-seeking behavior.
Non-governmental organizations, schools, and religious institutions also have a vital role to play in educating communities about prevention and the dangers of tobacco use and air pollution.
Our Call to Action This World Lung Cancer Day
This World Lung Cancer Day, let us speak up louder than ever before. Lung cancer should no longer remain a hidden crisis in Africa. Every breath matters, and every step taken toward prevention, early detection, and treatment can save lives.
Let us work together to ensure that the air we breathe is clean, the environments we live in are safe, and our health systems are prepared to detect and treat lung cancer early. The fight begins with awareness — and it starts now.
REFERENCES
1. Lo YL, Hsiao CF, Chang GC, Tsai YH, Huang MS, Su WC, Chen YM, Hsin CW, Chang CH, Yang PC, Chen CJ, Hsiung CA. Risk factors for primary lung cancer among never smokers by gender in a matched case-control study. Cancer Causes Control. 2013 Mar;24(3):567-76. doi: 10.1007/s10552-012-9994-x. Epub 2012 May 22. PMID: 22729933.
2.MacLeod JS, Harris MA, Tjepkema M, Peters PA, Demers PA. Cancer Risks among Welders and Occasional Welders in a National Population-Based Cohort Study: Canadian Census Health and Environmental Cohort. Saf Health Work. 2017 Sep;8(3):258-266. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.12.001. Epub 2017 Jan 12. PMID: 28951802; PMCID: PMC5605892.
3. Sharma R. Mapping of global, regional and national incidence, mortality and mortality-to-incidence ratio of lung cancer in 2020 and 2050. Int J Clin Oncol. 2022 Apr;27(4):665-675. doi: 10.1007/s10147-021-02108-2. Epub 2022 Jan 12. PMID: 35020103; PMCID: PMC8753949.
4. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116752
5. https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(23)00749-9/fulltext
6. https://www.americanoncology.com/blogs/lung-cancer-symptoms-what-you-should-know
#WorldLungCancerDay2025
Abdulhameed Oluseyi Qazeem,
Content Creation Team,
SmileBuilders Initiative.
