A New Distance Measure under Spherical Fuzzy Environment for Lung Cancer Risk Factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2298/YJOR251015046RKeywords:
Spherical Fuzzy Numbers, Distance Measure, Risk factors, MCDM, COPRAS, DEMATEL, Lung cancer, Sensitivity AnalysisAbstract
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and its early detection and prevention are highly dependent on the identification of critical risk factors. To address the complexity and uncertainty inherent in expert judgment, this study introduces a novel spherical fuzzy distance measure for evaluating lung cancer risk factors. The proposed framework integrates the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to capture interrelationships among the risk factors, while the COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) method is applied to rank their relative importance. To enhance the reliability of aggregated expert opinions, the Einstein aggregation operator is employed, offering a more flexible approach to handling fuzziness in decision-making data. Furthermore, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the robustness and stability of the results across different parameter variations. The findings not only highlight the most influential lung cancer risk factors but also demonstrate the superiority of the proposed spherical fuzzy distance measure in managing ambiguity and uncertainty in medical decision-making. This novel approach provides a valuable decision-support tool for healthcare professionals and policymakers to prioritise preventive strategies for lung cancer.
References
J. Krabbe, K. M. Steffens, S. Drießen, and T. Kraus, “Lung cancer risk and occupational pulmonaryfibrosis: systematic review and meta-analysis,” European Respiratory Review, vol. 33, no. 171, 2024.
L. A. Zadeh, “Fuzzy sets,” Information and Control, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 338–353, 1965.
K. T. Atanassov, “Intuitionistic fuzzy sets,” Fuzzy Sets and Systems, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 87–96, 1986.
R. R. Yager, “Pythagorean fuzzy sets,” International Journal of Intelligent Systems, vol. 29, no. 12, pp. 1092–1109, 2013.
N. T. Cuong and V. Kreinovich, “Picture fuzzy sets,” Fuzzy Sets and Systems, vol. 257, pp. 136–153, 2014.
M. Qiyas, M. Rehman et al., “Generalized interval-valued picture fuzzy sets and their applications in group decision making,” Applied Soft Computing, vol. 108, p. 107407, 2021.
X. Deng et al., “Spherical fuzzy sets and their application in multi-criteria decision making,” IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 158712–158722, 2019.
J. Ye, “Q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets and their applications,” International Journal of Intelligent Systems, vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 843–859, 2017.
F. Smarandache, Neutrosophic set, a generalization of the intuitionistic fuzzy sets. American Research Press, 1999.
H. Wang, F. Smarandache, and Y. Zhang, “Interval-valued neutrosophic sets and logic: theory and applications in decision making,” Neutrosophic Sets and Systems, vol. 1, pp. 1–30, 2010.
X. Deng, H. Wang et al., “Spherical neutrosophic sets and their application in mcdm,” Soft Computing, vol. 24, pp. 12345–12359, 2020.
R. Kannan et al., “Entropy measures and aggregation operators for interval-valued picture fuzzy sets,” Knowledge-Based Systems, vol. 277, p. 110129, 2024.
Q. M. Yas, E. M. Hameed, A. M. Badr, and B. Al-Bander, “Multi risk factors evaluation for lung cancer incidence based decision support systems,” Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, vol. 12, no. 13, pp. 3409–3419, 2021.
S. N. Sri, J. Vimala, N. Kausar, E. Ozbilge, E. ¨ Ozbilge, and D. Pamucar, “An mcdm approach on einstein aggregation operators under bipolar linear diophantine fuzzy hypersoft set,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 9, 2024.
K. Sekar, M. AnulHaq, A. Kumar, R. Shalini, S. Poojalaxmi et al., “An improved ranking methodology for malignant carcinoma in multicriterian decision making using hesitant vikor fuzzy,” Theoretical Computer Science, vol. 929, pp. 81–94, 2022.
F. Zhang and X. Li, “Hbagging-mcdm: an ensemble classifier combined with multiple criteria decision making for rectal cancer survival prediction,” Annals of Operations Research, vol. 335, no. 1, pp. 469–490, 2024.
P. Yiarayong, “Enhancing early lung cancer screening decisions using a novel multi-attribute decision-making approach within the circular–hyperbolic fuzzy set framework: P. yiarayong,” International Journal of Fuzzy Systems, pp. 1–24, 2025.
H. Liao, Y. Xu, and R. Fang, “A regret theory-based even swaps method with complex linguistic information and its application in early-stage lung cancer treatment selection,” Information Sciences, vol. 681, p. 121194, 2024.
N. T. Thong, N. T. Huong, N. T. L. Nhi, and L. T. Nhung, “An enhanced decision-making model with einstein aggregation operators of generalized neutrosophic hypersoft sets: The selection of tobacco control strategies,” International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making, 2025.
H. Garg, D. Dutta, P. Dutta, and B. Gohain, “An extended group decision-making algorithm with intuitionistic fuzzy set information distance measures and their applications,” Computers &Industrial Engineering, vol. 197, p. 110537, 2024.
R. M.Zulqarnain, H. Garg, W.-X. Ma, and I. Siddique, “Optimal cloud service provider selection: An madm framework on correlation-based topsis with interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy soft set,” Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, vol. 129, p. 107578, 2024.
D. Kang, K. Suvitha, S. Narayanamoorthy, M. Sandra, and D. Pamucar, “Evaluation of wave energy converters based on integrated electre approach,” Expert Systems with Applications, vol. 242, p. 122793, 2024.
K. Suvitha, S. Narayanamoorthy, D. Pamucar, and D. Kang, “An ideal plastic waste management system based on an enhanced mcdm technique,” Artificial Intelligence Review, vol. 57, no. 4, p. 96, 2024.
A. Aljohani, “Ai-driven decision-making for personalized elderly care: a fuzzy mcdm-based framework for enhancing treatment recommendations,” BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2025.
M. Dharmalingam, G. S. Mahapatra, and R. Vijayakumar, “Environment-aware multi-criteria decision-making for selecting a site for a mobile tower installation using the fermatean fuzzy topsis technique,” International Journal of Fuzzy Systems, pp. 1–23, 2025.
M.Dharmalingam and D.Kang, “Astudy onsustainable system for managing municipal solid waste through a multi-criteria group decision-making technique,” Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, vol. 150, p. 109393, 2025.
F. Kutlu G¨undo˘gdu and C. Kahraman, “A novel spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and its renewable energy application,” Soft Computing, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 4607–4621, 2020.
N. Florez, L. Kiel, I. Riano, S. Patel, K. DeCarli, N. Dhawan, I. Franco, A. Odai-Afotey, K. Meza, N. Swami et al., “Lung cancer in women: the past, present, and future,” Clinical Lung Cancer, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1–8, 2024.
I. Possenti, M. Romelli, G. Carreras, A. Biffi, V. Bagnardi, C. Specchia, S. Gallus, and A. Lugo, “Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in neversmokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” European Respiratory Review, vol. 33, no. 174, 2024.
M. Wang, R. Y. Kim, M. R. Kohonen-Corish, H. Chen, C. Donovan, and B. G. Oliver, “Particulate matter air pollution as a cause of lung cancer: epidemiological and experimental evidence,” British Journal of Cancer, vol. 132, no. 11, p. 986, 2025.
L. Martin-Gisbert, G. Garc´ıa, A. Teijeiro, and A. Ruano-Ravina, “Radon exposure as an occupational risk factor for lung cancer in conventional workplaces. an overview,” Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, vol. 18, no. 12, pp. 1041–1046, 2024.
C. T. Jani, S. A. Kareff, D. Morgenstern-Kaplan, A. S. Salazar, G. Hanbury, J. D. Salciccioli, D. C. Marshall, J. Shalhoub, H. Singh, E. Rodriguez et al., “Evolving trends in lung cancer risk factors in the ten most populous countries: an analysis of data from the 2019 global burden of disease study,” EClinicalMedicine, vol. 79, 2025.
W. Wan, S. Peters, L. Portengen, A. Olsson, J. Sch¨uz, W. Ahrens, M. Schejbalova, P. Boffetta, T. Behrens, T. Br¨uning et al., “Occupational benzene exposure and lung cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 14 case-control studies,” American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, vol. 209, no. 2, pp. 185–196, 2024.
J. C. Laguna, M. Tagliamento, M. Lambertini, J. Hiznay, and L. Mezquita, “Tackling nonsmall cell lung cancer in young adults: From risk factors and genetic susceptibility to lung cancer profile and outcomes,” American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, vol. 44, no. 3, p. e432488, 2024.
F. Li, L. Zheng, X. Xu, J. Jin, X. Li, and L. Zhou, “The impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the risk of immune-related pneumonitis in lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” BMC Pulmonary Medicine, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 393, 2024.
M. Locquet, S. Jacob, X. Geets, and C. Beaudart, “Dose-volume predictors of cardiac adverse events after high-dose thoracic radiation therapy for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” BMC cancer, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 1556, 2024.
G. Indu, N. S. Shiva, and P. A. Mahesh, “Indoor air pollution in rural south indian kitchens from biomass-fuel usage and the predicted lung deposition in women,” Atmospheric Environment, vol. 336, p. 120732, 2024.
S. Jun, H. Park, U.-J. Kim, H. A. Lee, B. Park, S. Y. Lee, S. H. Jee, and H. Park, “The combined effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on cancer risk by exposure level: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Journal of Korean Medical Science, vol. 39, no. 22, 2024.
V. E. Georgakopoulou, I. G. Lempesis, N. Trakas, P. Sklapani, Y. He, and D. A. Spandidos, “Lung cancer and obesity: A contentious relationship,” Oncology Reports, vol. 52, no. 5, p. 158, 2024.
S. M. AlRabeeah, E. M. Alzahrani, A. M. Aldhahir, R. A. Siraj, A. A. Alqarni, I. A. AlDraiwiesh, A. S. Alqahtani, B. S. Almqati, T. G. Alharbi, A. A. Almuntashiri et al., “A populationbased study of 15,000 people on knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in saudi arabia,” Frontiers in Oncology, vol. 14, p. 1295847, 2024.
J. Chen, Y. Liu, H. Cai, and W. Zheng, “Risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis,” BMC Pulmonary Medicine, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 353, 2024.
R. M.Sheela and S. Dhanasekar, “Analyzing risk factors of tuberculosis using type-2 intervalvalued trapezoidal fuzzy numbers with einstein aggregation operators extended to mcdm,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 16, 2024.
M.Sheela Rani andS.Dhanasekar, “Application of type-2 heptagonal fuzzy sets with multiple operators in multi-criteria decision-making for identifying risk factors of zika virus,” BMC Infectious Diseases, vol. 25, no. 1, p. 450, 2025.
S. Rani and S. Dhanasekar, “Type-2 trapezoidal pythagorean fuzzy number with novel entropy measure and aggregation operators extended to mcdm,” Complex & Intelligent Systems, vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 1–45, 2025.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yugoslav Journal of Operations Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.