Lung cancer cases up five-fold in non-smokers, air pollution is the major culprit

The worsening air condition is a major contributor to lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, says a senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo hospital, New Delhi.

By: Jahnavi Sarma | | Updated: November 19, 2020 9:13 am

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) long term exposure to outdoor air pollution is one of the leading carcinogenic (cancer-causing agent). @Shutterstock

Experts at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on Wednesday said that lung cancer cases among non-smokers have increased five-fold in the past decade. For the past few years, winters in the North of India have been particularly tough as the majority of the cities get engulfed in a thick blanket of smog which consists of concentrated particulate matter, the hospital said. “The worsening air condition is a major contributor to lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, especially in the months of November-January, we breathe in air as toxic as 70 cigarettes a day,” Dr Sudha Kansal, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, said in a statement. According to the experts, people continue to breathe in this toxic air and consequently have developed respiratory illnesses like COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and other grave respiratory illnesses. Also Read - Beware! Air pollution can lead to irreversible blindness. Here’s how to stay safe

Long-term exposure can be fatal

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) long term exposure to outdoor air pollution is one of the leading carcinogenic (cancer-causing agent). Lung cancer has now been registered as the 3rd most common form of cancers reported in India, after stomach and breast cancer. While tobacco smoking is still a primary cause of the disease, the share of non-smokers being diagnosed with lung cancer has risen to 50 per cent within a decade and a very large number of these patients are women. Also Read - Lung cancer: Warning signs and symptoms you should never ignore

Particle pollution more dangerous

“There are mainly two types of outdoor air pollutants namely ozone and particle pollution,” Kansal said. “The size of the particulate matter defines its impact on the lungs. Particulate matter as small as 2.5 microns is said to have direct relationship with lung cancer,” Kansal added. There have been observations that these minute particles when entering the human body cause alteration in the DNA which ultimate causes cancer. The experts stressed that toxic air not only harms the lungs but can damage other organs and bodily functions. Also Read - Achieving India's air quality target across south Asia may prevent 7% of pregnancy losses: Lancet study

Other health risks of air pollution

Some major health impacts of air pollution that are commonly observed are aggravated bronchial asthma and other COPD diseases. People with these conditions experience a worsening of their symptoms. Many even have to be hospitalized because of complications. Air pollution can also seriously affect and cause damage to the nervous system. Long term exposure can lead to cardiovascular ailments. If you live in a highly polluted area, you may also experience fatigue, headache, anxiety and irritation in the nose, eyes and throat.

Know how to protect yourself

Air pollution is an unavoidable menace of urban living. But you can take some simple steps to protect yourself from its harmful effects. Check the pollution levels in your locality before going out. Avoid stepping out of the house if levels are very high. It is okay to skip you morning walk and outdoor exercises till pollution levels go down. If you do have to step out, wear a mask to protect yourself. Other than this, eat nutritious foods and perform some indoor exercises. You can also get an air purifier to keep the sir inside your home pollution free.

(With inputs from IANS)

Published : November 18, 2020 9:16 pm | Updated:November 19, 2020 9:13 am

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