India is grappling with a growing cancer burden, with lung cancer cases on the rise, prompting experts to investigate whether air pollution could be a contributing factor. According to researchers are highlighting the connection between worsening air quality and increasing lung cancer diagnoses, particularly in regions heavily impacted by pollution.
The expert emphasizes that outdoor air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating strong evidence from human studies of its cancer-causing potential. Indoor air pollution, meanwhile, is considered a Group 2 carcinogen, with probable links to cancer. The 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir, a Swiss technology company, ranked India as the fifth-most polluted country globally, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 micrograms and India’s national standard of 40 micrograms. “The causal links are very well established between air pollution and lung cancer,”expert.
While tobacco remains a leading cause of lung cancer in India, experts note a shifting trend. Traditional practices, such as keeping fires burning in tribal communities, may also contribute to indoor air pollution, though these habits are gradually changing. A 2022 study identified additional risk factors, including occupational exposure to substances like asbestos, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and coal-based products, as well as genetic predispositions and pre-existing lung conditions.
Diagnosing lung cancer remains challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms, such as cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which are often mistaken for other ailments. Researcher notes that even X-rays may not immediately suggest lung cancer, and in India, doctors frequently suspect tuberculosis first, potentially delaying accurate diagnoses. The study revealed that nearly half of lung cancer patients in India are diagnosed at Stage IV, when the disease has already spread, a trend consistent across various Indian settings.Researcher reports that among the 10 patients he sees monthly, only one is typically diagnosed at an early stage (Stage 1 or 2).
Other contributing factors, such as genetic susceptibility and occupational exposures, require further research to fully understand their role in India’s rising cancer rates. As air pollution continues to pose a significant public health challenge, experts stress the need for urgent action and comprehensive studies to address its impact on cancer and other diseases.