Lung cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in Sri Lanka, with men currently showing a higher prevalence than women, according to Dr. Saman Iddagoda, a thoracic surgeon at the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases.

Speaking at a media briefing by the Health Promotion Bureau ahead of World Lung Cancer Day, Dr. Iddagoda noted a clear upward trend in lung cancer cases as reflected in national cancer registry data.

He attributed the higher incidence among men largely to smoking, while also highlighting a concerning rise in diagnoses among non-smoking women, who are often reluctant to seek timely medical attention.

Dr. Iddagoda emphasised the importance of early detection and urged greater awareness and screening to combat this growing health issue.