New Delhi, 21 November (H.S.): Lung cancer in India is on the rise among non-smokers, with air pollution being a major contributing factor. Delhi experienced slightly improved air quality after eight days of severe pollution, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 379. Traditional risk factors for lung cancer include smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, asbestos, and family history. Long-term exposure to particulate matter can trigger mutations in lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. A recent study published in the Lancet’s eClinical Medicine Journal showed that most lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers due to increased exposure to air pollution.

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. The most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers is adenocarcinoma, which usually starts in the outer areas of the lungs.

Several air monitoring stations across the national capital still recorded AQI levels above 400, which is categorised as “severe”. The rising air pollution has also spiked several respiratory disorders like asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the capital. The number of patients reporting breathing problems has risen by approximately 20% compared to last month, with most cases involving individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions exacerbated by pollution-induced inflammation. Children, with their underdeveloped immune systems, are especially vulnerable to persistent conditions like asthma and allergies.

Experts urge the need for preventive measures such as wearing N95 masks, limiting outdoor activity, and using home air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. They also advise people to closely monitor their health, look for symptoms like breathlessness, persistent cough, or chest pain, and seek immediate medical assistance, if necessary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar