Rising Cancer in India: The Role of Air Pollution in Lung Cancer Cases

There has been an increase in the number of cancer cases in India and it is estimated that it will rise from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025. People who smoke are still the main lung cancer patients, but those who breathe polluted air are also getting it. A growing number of lung cancer cases among non-smokers has been linked to both outside and indoor air pollution. Specialists are emphasizing that we need quick research into the link between air pollution and cancer, as well as actions to address pollution itself. Because many lung cancer cases are not caught early in India, it is still a big challenge to get early treatment.

Summary

• Lung cancer cases are going up in India, even among people who do not smoke, as air pollution is a leading hazard. 

• It is necessary to carry out urgent research and apply pollution control to reduce the increasing number of cancer cases.

Key Points

Projected Increase in Cancer Cases:

• Cancer cases in India are projected to rise from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh by 2025.

Facts about Lung Cancer Statistics

• In India, lung cancer comes in second among the most common cancers for men.

• It is included in the top five cancers for women.

• Some people who have never smoked are diagnosed with lung cancer too (up to 30% of cases).

India population affected by Cancer

• The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with cancer for someone in India is 1 out of 9.

• Lung cancer is the biggest cause of deaths from cancer worldwide.

Link between air pollution and lung cancer

• Air Pollution: An Agent in Causing Cancer

  • PM 2.5 found outside is determined to be highly carcinogenic.

  • Indoor air pollution caused by burning solid fuels is thought to cause cancer and is a known Group 2 carcinogen.

• Results of Air Pollution:

  • Even though air pollution and lung cancer are strongly associated, more research is required to confirm the link.

  • According to reports, India sits in 5th place among nations for air pollution, since its PM2.5 levels are at 50.6 µg/m³ which is much higher than the recommended 5 µg/m³.

• Second-hand Smoke:

  • More than half of Indian adults experience second-hand smoke at places such as home, work or during travels and this exposure results in more cases of lung cancer.

Non-smoking lung cancer

• Emerging Trend:

  • Some research states that about 40-55% of cases of lung cancer happen in people who have never smoked.

• Histology Differences:

  • While adenocarcinoma is more common in non-smokers, squamous cell carcinoma is usually found in smokers.

• Age Demographics:

  • People in India who get lung cancer are usually a decade younger than those found in Western countries.

Factors Involved in Causing Lung Cancer

• Indoor Pollution:

  • Cooking using solid fuels and biomass in rural areas increases the chances of getting lung cancer.

• Occupational Exposures:

  • Those who encounter asbestos, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and coal-based products are more likely to get lung cancer.

Challenges found in Diagnosing and Treating Illnesses

• Late Diagnosis:

  • Due to nonspecific lung cancer symptoms like cough, chest pain and trouble breathing, many people are not diagnosed early.

  • In India, doctors commonly misdiagnosed tuberculosis which leads to a late discovery of lung cancer.

• Stage of diagnosis

  • Many patients receive a diagnosis in Stage 4, showing that the cancer has reached other organs.

• Limited access to treatment

  • Although immunotherapy has great promise, most patients find it both unavailable and too expensive.

Way Forward

• Need for Further Studies.

  • Research into the connection between air pollution and lung cancer should be extended in India.

• Addressing Air Pollution

  • India should involve many sectors to address air pollution that happens inside and outside.

• More attention to the Northeast region

  • Since there is an increasing risk of cancer in the Northeast region, well-designed efforts and awareness programs can support it.

Conclusion

Since a growing number of non-smoking women in India are getting lung cancer, exploring the effects of air pollution is very important. Boosting research and using new strategies to cut down on air pollution aid in reducing cancer cases. Diminishing the impact of cancer means putting better cancer detection and treatment in place.