Air pollution causing lung cancer in non-smokers

Lung cancer is signifi cantly on the rise among nonsmokers in India, and air pollution is a major contributing factor, experts have said as the country, especially the national capital, continues to grapple with poor air quality.

“While traditional risk factors for lung cancer include smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exposure to second-hand 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.