Legendary Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore.
Legendary Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore never smoked in her life. But she was still diagnosed with lung cancer. The actress first revealed about the disease on her show ‘Coffee with Karan’ in 2023.
Recently, actresses Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan have brought to light new details about their mother’s illness and struggle.
An old news regarding the lung cancer of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, the wife of the Pataudi family, has come to light. In it, both Sharmila’s daughters Saba and Soha have said that their mother never smoked. Despite this, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since then, various questions have been arising in the minds of the common people.
Usually, when it comes to lung cancer, most people assume that the patient smokes. But in the case of Sharmila Thakur, there is an exception. Now the question is – how can cancer develop in the lungs without smoking a single cigarette in her life?
Psychologists say, yes, it can! Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. That is 100 percent true. But it is not the only cause. The World Health Organization’s Agency for Research on Cancer has identified air pollution and particulate matter as carcinogenic to humans.
In addition, inadequate ventilation indoors, stove or coal smoke, passive smoking, radon gas, asbestos, and a family history of cancer also greatly increase the risk of this disease.
The type of lung cancer that occurs in people who don’t smoke can be slightly different. Adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small-cell lung cancer, is relatively more common in non-smokers. These tumors often have specific molecular changes, or mutations, that help doctors choose the right, targeted therapy. As a result, a patient’s treatment plan is based not only on their smoking history; it is also based on the nature of the tumor.
Experts say women often dismiss early symptoms of lung disease as pollution-related allergies or a common cold. But these symptoms should never be ignored.
First, a persistent or long-term cough.
Secondly, weight loss for no reason.
Third, shortness of breath or increased chest discomfort.
Fourth, coughing up blood.