Lung cancer cases climb faster among women than men in Karnataka

Karnataka saw an estimated 5,503 new cases of lung cancer in the year 2025. This total makes up 6.1 percent of all cancer cases recorded in the State during that period.

Rising Rates

Men still have a higher overall number of lung cancer cases in Karnataka. However, health data shows that the rate of new cases is growing much faster among women. Figures from the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology point out that the average annual age-adjusted rate for women went up by 4.8 percent. For men, that same annual rate increased by a much smaller 1.6 percent. Medical experts note this faster growth among women as a growing worry, especially in Bengaluru.

Context

November is marked globally as Lung Cancer Awareness Month to draw attention to prevention and early checks. The Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is a major cancer treatment and research center run by the State government in Karnataka. Health studies often look at age-adjusted rates to compare disease trends fairly across populations of different age sizes over time.