New Delhi, Nov 21: Lung cancer is significantly on the rise among non-smokers in India, and air pollution is a major contributing factor, said experts here on Thursday amid the continued poor air quality in the national capital. After eight days of severe air pollution, Delhi on Thursday saw slightly improved air quality. At 7 am, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 379, placing the city in the “very poor” category.
“While traditional risk factors for lung cancer include smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, asbestos, and family history are the major reasons for lung cancer in non-smokers. Long-term exposure to particulate matter can trigger mutations in lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth,” said Dr. Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology, at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, said.
A recent study published in the Lancet's eClinical Medicine Journal showed that most lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers. It is due to increased exposure to air pollution. It also showed that lung cancer cases are also manifesting in India about 10 years earlier as compared to Western countries.
“The rising levels of air pollution in India have become a significant contributor to the increasing cases of lung cancer. Prolonged exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and toxic gases damages lung tissue and raises cancer risk,” Dr.
Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Fortis.
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