NT Reporter
Panaji
A total of 446 cases of lung cancer have been reported at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim from August 2018 to December 2024, which account for six per cent of the total cancer cases reported at the facility, the Health Department statistics said.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that the AI software has been deployed at 17 health facilities in Goa with digital X- ray and internet capabilities.
He said that the total number of screenings completed till June 2025 is 61,984 and the total number of nodules identified till date is 430.
“The number of patients found to be cancer positive is 6,” Rane said.
As per the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), AI for lung cancer screening helps in early detection.
“AI algorithms can identify small lung nodules and subtle abnormalities in chest X-rays or CT scans much earlier than traditional methods. Early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival,” DHS said, adding that AI provides real-time analysis, speeding up the diagnostic workflow. This leads to quicker clinical decisions, especially in high-volume settings.
Additionally, it acts as a decision-support tool, flagging suspicious areas so radiologists can prioritise urgent cases.
“By catching lung cancer early, AI assisted screening can reduce costs associated with late-stage treatment,”
it said.
As per the Fishman’s Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders sixth edition, the various causative reasons for lung cancer include tobacco smoking.
“Cigarette smoking accounts for over 85 per cent of all lung cancer cases. Bidi, cigar, and pipe smoking is equally harmful. Secondhand smoke (passive smoking) increases
risk even in non smokers,”
it said, adding that the other reasons include environmental exposure, genetic and family history, pre-existing lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and indoor pollutants
and fuel exposure, among others.
