Greater Threat to Metros
Lung cancer is found to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer after breast and prostate cancer. This cancer is increasing even among non-smokers and air pollution is a major cause of it. As the polluted air enters the body through the nose, the risk of cancer is more in the organs of the upper respiratory tract, according to the Senior Pulmonologist of KRIMS hospitals Dr. Ashok arbat.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.8 million people die due to lung cancer and polluted air is one of the major reason for the same.
Day by day the level of pollution is increasing and the incidence of cancer along with lung related diseases is also increasing. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) cited tobacco, alcohol, obesity and air pollution as key factors in the estimated rise. The study predicts that by 2050, the number of new cases of all types of cancer will exceed 35 million. This figure is 77 percent higher than the figure in 2022 and is alarming.
Air pollution causes people to face lung related problems. Long-term exposure to certain air pollutants including carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and heavy metals can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, Dr. Arabat mentioned.
Along with that fine particles suspended in air known as PM2.5 (particles with the diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) and PM10 can penetrate deep into the lungs. long term exposure to the elevated level of PM as well as prolonged exposure to the elevated level of ozone has been link to an increased risk of lung cancer, he added.
People working in polluted environments such as cities near highways, fast-growing metropolises with the resulting pollution and chemical factory workers are at increased risk of lung cancer. Although air pollution is an important public health problem, it is not the only factor contributing to the development of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Prolonged history of smoking, exposure to radon gas (a gas emitted from burning fossil fuels and coal), and genetics are also major contributing factors. But, polluted particles in the air promotes the development of lung tumors. Therefore, he warned that preventing air pollution and protecting ourselves from it is becoming the need of the hour.