Archive · 18 Sep 2025
Air Pollution Fuels Rise in Cancer Cases, Warns Oncologist
Doctors are noticing more cancer cases in India, and a big reason is air pollution, like the smog in cities and smoke in homes.
This is different from what usually causes cancer, like smoking.
Air pollution has been linked to more than a quarter of all lung cancer deaths around the world.
What's concerning is that even people who don't smoke, including women and young people, are getting cancer because of the polluted air.
Doctors say that the bad air enters lungs and can damage your body.
With the holiday season and the colder months approaching, the risk may increase in the Delhi-NCR region.
Air pollution is a growing factor in India's rising cancer burden.
Lung cancer cases are rising due to air pollution.
India records over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually.
Air pollution is responsible for 29% of lung cancer deaths globally.
Doctors are seeing more cancer in non-smokers, linked to environmental exposure.
- Who
- Dr. Shirish Alurkar and other medical professionals
- What
- Air pollution is increasing cancer cases.
- When
- Currently, with increasing risks during the festive season and winter.
- Where
- India, particularly urban areas.
- Why
- Air pollution causes inflammation, DNA damage, and cancer.
- Expert
- Dr. Shirish Alurkar, Oncologist
- Location
- India, especially Delhi-NCR
- Cancer Cases Annually
- 1.4 million+
- Projected Cases (2025)
- 1.57 million
- Primary Cause
- Air Pollution
- Study Source
- WHO (2022)