Dr. Shirish Alurkar a senior consultant in medical oncology at HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, warns that pollution is a significant and often overlooked contributor to India’s rising cancer burden. While factors like tobacco use and genetics have long been recognized, both indoor and outdoor pollution are quietly reshaping the country’s cancer landscape. India, which records over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually, is projected to see this number rise to 1.57 million in 2025.
Air Pollution and Lung Cancer
The oncologist highlights the particularly alarming rise of lung cancer among non-smokers, suggesting that environmental exposures are a primary cause. Doctors are reporting an increase in cases among non-smoking women and younger patients, a trend that points to the pervasive nature of air pollution. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in a 2022 study that air pollution is responsible for 29% of all lung cancer deaths globally.
Outdoor air in many Indian cities often exceeds safe limits for Particulate Matter (PM2.5), microscopic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. This can lead to chronic inflammation and DNA damage, increasing the risk of cancers. Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from vehicles and industries are also known carcinogens, raising the risk of not only lung cancer but also throat, bladder, and breast cancers.
Dangers Lurking Indoors
The threat isn’t limited to the outdoors. Dr. Shirish notes that millions of rural and low-income urban households face severe indoor air pollution from burning solid fuels like coal, wood, or dung for cooking. This practice releases carcinogens at levels far higher than outdoor pollution, disproportionately affecting women who spend extended periods near these cooking fires. Studies show that people exposed to solid fuel smoke face a three to four times higher risk of lung and throat cancers.
Beyond air, the oncologist also points to contaminated soil and water sources, often polluted by industrial waste, pesticides, and heavy metals. Long-term exposure to these contaminants has been linked to various cancers, including gastrointestinal, prostate, and blood cancers.
Why the Recent Surge?
The increasing visibility of pollution-linked cancers is attributed to several factors. Latency is a key reason, as many cancers take years to develop, meaning current cases reflect past decades of exposure. Furthermore, as smoking rates plateau, the proportion of cancers driven by environmental pollutants becomes more apparent. Lastly, India’s rapid urbanisation and industrial growth over the last 20-30 years have dramatically increased exposure levels.
Dr. Shirish emphasizes that pollution is a “slow, silent carcinogen” and that without urgent action, the country faces a new wave of cancers that the healthcare system may not be able to manage.