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Lung cancer cases are often diagnosed late at advanced stages. With the rise of AI in medicine, early intervention is now possible.
AI is being used to aid early lung cancer detection in India.
For years, lung cancer has been one of the deadliest diagnoses, often caught too late, and treated with few options. In India, a majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, making early intervention the exception, not the norm. But now, that tide is beginning to turn, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation.
“AI is helping India move from late-stage panic to early-stage preparedness,” says Bhargava Reddy, Chief Business Officer, Oncology at Qure.ai. “It’s no longer futuristic, it’s working on the ground today,” he adds.
The Problem: Late Detection, Limited Time
Most lung cancer cases show no symptoms in the early stages. By the time patients experience breathlessness or persistent coughing, the disease is often advanced. And with a radiologist shortage and fragmented systems, delays are built in.
“Only 3.5%–7.2% of patients are diagnosed early. The rest come in when treatment windows are already shrinking,” Reddy adds.
AI’s Game-Changing Role in Early Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
AI doesn’t just interpret scans quickly; it catches abnormalities often missed in early assessments. “AI’s ability to find subtle signs, sometimes before symptoms appear, reshapes the timeline of care entirely,” says Reddy.
And it’s not limited to expensive CTs. AI can scan routine chest X-rays, making advanced detection possible even in rural or under-resourced areas.
Screening Made Scalable
In India, where LDCT is neither affordable nor accessible for the masses, AI is turning the humble X-ray into a powerful tool.
A common misconception is that AI is a tool reserved for high-tech hospitals. In reality, its most transformative impact is unfolding in primary health centres and rural clinics that have long struggled with limited access to specialist care. AI serves as a virtual assistant, helping frontline providers in under-resourced districts detect early signs of lung abnormalities, even without an on-site radiologist. This levels the playing field, enabling timely diagnosis where it was previously out of reach.
In states like Goa, AI is already integrated into 11 public health centres, helping screen high-risk populations like smokers and those exposed to urban pollution. “This is where AI is most transformative, not in high-tech hospitals, but in clinics that never had specialist access,” Reddy notes.
The Road Ahead: From Pilots to Policy
The WHO has already endorsed AI-supported chest X-ray screening. The next step? Embedding it into national cancer programs. “Mainstreaming AI as essential, not optional, will be key to delivering timely, data-driven care,” says Reddy.
AI is not just enhancing lung cancer detection; it’s changing when and how we act. By enabling earlier diagnosis, broader reach, and faster decision-making, AI is helping India move from late-stage panic to early-stage preparedness.
