World Lung Cancer Day is observed on August 1 every year across the world. Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and impacts more than 1.5 million people worldwide every year. While smoking is the most common cause of cause lung cancer, there are many patients who are non-smokers. They are affected by air pollution, secondhand smoke and genetic factors. World Lung Cancer Day was first observed in 2012. The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) established this day to raise awareness on lung cancer. There are seven types of lung cancer with some being more aggressive than others.

This year, the theme for World Lung Cancer Day 2024 is “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care”. Here is a look at some well-known celebs who battled lung cancer, and some who died because of it.

Sanjay Dutt

Much loved actor Sanjay Dutt was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. Given the kind of tribulations he has faced in his life, Sanjay Dutt faced it like a champ. He sought treatment in India and abroad. In an interview with India Today, he revealed that he told himself it was impossible that he had cancer. He underwent chemotherapy for his lung cancer, which was quite aggressive. Dr Sewanti Limaye, who treated director Rakesh Roshan for his cancer, was also Sanjay Dutt's oncologist. Dr Limaye operated upon Dutt. As reported in The Economic Times Panache, the doctor revealed that Sanjay Dutt would head to his workouts after his chemotherapy sessions. He also performed action shoots for his films with her permission, she said. Sanjay Dutt has been a survivor and been a part of several successful films since,  including K.G.F: Chapter 2. He will be seen in Double iSmart next. Sanjay Dutt Turns 65: Actor Greets Fans and Receives Birthday Gifts (Watch Video).

Sanjay Dutt Spoke at Length About Battling Lung Cancer

 

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Feroz Khan

One of the most dashing men in Indian cinema, Feroz Khan succumbed to lung cancer in 2009. The actor-filmmaker was diagnosed with the illness when he was working on Welcome 2. This was revealed by filmmaker Anees Bazmee. It seems Khan knew it was a terminal case and that he had little chance of survival. The late Feroz Khan remains one of the most stylish actors of Bollywood.

Yuvraj Singh

After India's title win in the 2011 World Cup, former India national cricket team vice-captain Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with lung cancer. The tumour was detected in his left lung, and it was mediastinal seminoma lung cancer. It was a rare form of cancer of lungs. He underwent three cycles of chemotherapy at Boston and Indianapolis in the USA. The whole nation prayed for his recovery and wellbeing. Yuvraj Singh is a cancer survivor and went on to write a book on his journey towards recovery, titled The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back.

Yuvraj Singh Was Diagnosed With Rare Form of Lung Cancer

 

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Aparna Vastarey

Kannada actress, television presenter, anchor and radio jockey Aparna Vastarey passed away on July 11, 2024, due to lung cancer. She was in the fourth stage of cancer. Aparna Vastarey's voice is familiar to all Namma Metro commuters as the Kannada announcer. She was just 51 when she succumbed to the disease.

Jishnu Raghavan

The Malayalam actor died at 35 in 2016 due to throat and lung cancer. Jishnu Raghavan had gone into remission after his initial treatment. but when it returned, it turned out to be fatal for him. In his final days, Jishnu wrote that alternative therapies are of little use in cancer cure.

Paul Newman

American actor Paul Newman who was nominated for eight Oscar Awards and won once, died of lung cancer in 2008. He was 83. Some of his famous films include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Hustler (1961), The Verdict (1982), The Color of Money (1986), Road To Perdition (2002), and more. He was ranked in the Top 50 Hottest Men of All Time list.

Walt Disney

The Disney pioneer gave the world so much to smile about with his unforgettable cartoon characters, shows, films, Disneyland theme parks and toys. In December 1966, Walt Disney died of a heart attack following a surgery for lung cancer. This was 10 days after his birthday on December 5.

Like in all forms of cancer, early detection can make a lot of difference. In India, around 15 percent of those affected by cancer do not smoke. We hope that awareness campaigns on World Lung Cancer Day 2024 would help to save more lives in the future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2024 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).