The increasing air pollution and depletion of ICA in Delhi is not only affecting the respiratory system, eyes and skin, but can also pose a risk of cancer. Read on to find out how.
Increased exposure to airborne carcinogens is increasing the incidence of lung, bladder, breast, prostate and blood cancers. National Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated on November 7 every year in India to raise awareness about the growing burden of cancer in the country and inspire action for prevention, early detection and treatment.
India is home to more than 1.4 billion people. Changes in lifestyle, tobacco use, poor eating habits and inadequate physical activity are causing a rapid increase in cancer cases.
About 800,000 new cases of cancer are expected each year, with tobacco-related cancers accounting for 35 to 50 percent of all cancers in men and 17 percent in women, according to Health Ministry estimates.
“Cancer rates are increasing in India and an upward trend has been observed in the annual incidence rate. Currently, India registers more than 14 lakh new cancer patients every year, and nearly 9 lakh people die from this disease every year,” Dr Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Rotary Hospital Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Cancer at AIIMS, Delhi. he told IANS.
He attributed this increase to increased “tobacco use, alcohol, infections such as HPV, hepatitis virus and Helicobacter pylori, lifestyle changes, environmental factors, poor diets and sedentary lifestyles.”
While lifestyle factors play an important role, environmental changes (particularly increased air pollution) are also important.
“High levels of air pollution in India, especially exposure to PM2.5, are linked to increased rates of lung cancer, including cases among non-smokers. Water and soil contamination by industrial pollutants increases the risks of various types of cancer, affecting communities in industrial areas,” Shankar said.
The air quality in Delhi-NCR remained alarmingly bad on Thursday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 362.
There is also substantial evidence from human and experimental animal studies, as well as mechanistic evidence supporting a causal link between outdoor (ambient) air pollution, especially PM 2.5 in outdoor air, with breast cancer incidence and mortality. lung and breast.
“You are at risk of other types of cancer, such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia (blood cancer), but in limited quantities. “Outdoor air pollution may also be associated with worse cancer survival, although more research is needed,” Shankar said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified outdoor air pollution as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is enough evidence to conclude that it causes cancer in humans.
Air pollution in India is mainly caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activities and biomass burning.
Dr Sajjan Rajpurohit, Senior Director, Medical Oncology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, told IANS that these pollutants contain carcinogenic substances like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Prolonged exposure to these substances can cause cellular mutations and the development of cancer.
“Suspended particles (PM2.5) are also one of the most harmful components of air pollution. The small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream,” Rajpurohit said.
The health expert noted that children, the elderly and people with pre-existing health problems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Their increased susceptibility may lead to higher rates of cancer in these groups, exacerbating the public health crisis.
Shankar called for a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, besides reducing exposure to PM-2.5.
Dr. Sachin Trivedi, Director of Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Center, also highlighted the need for early detection for better treatment outcomes.
He called for “regular screening for breast, lung, colorectal and oral cancer to help effectively control the cancer.”
