Can Lung Cancer Strike Without Cigarette Smoking? Deepening the Connection With Air Pollution

Recent studies have underscored a profound link between lung cancer and air pollution, challenging previous assumptions about the primary causes of lung cancer. While smoking has long been identified as a major risk factor, emerging research suggests that environmental pollution plays a significant role as well. Studies indicate that breathing polluted air, particularly in severely affected regions like Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region), can expose individuals to levels of particulate matter equivalent to inhaling the smoke of 20-25 cigarettes a day. This stark comparison highlights the severity of air quality issues and their direct impact on public health. In urban areas with high levels of pollution, the incidence of lung cancer and related mortality rates have been observed to rise in parallel with worsening air quality. This correlation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive air quality management strategies and stricter pollution control measures. Governments, health organizations, and communities must prioritize efforts to reduce emissions, promote cleaner technologies, and enhance public awareness about the health risks associated with air pollution. Protecting respiratory health through proactive environmental policies is essential to mitigating the growing burden of lung cancer and improving overall public health outcomes.