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Air Pollution: A Silent Killer of Lungs
1 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Air pollution is a key risk factor for lung cancer, affecting non-smokers.
- Around 40% of Indian lung cancer cases occur in never-smokers.
- Modern treatments like immunotherapy offer new hope for patients.
Lung cancer poses a significant threat in India, causing tens of thousands of cases and deaths yearly. Misconceptions often hinder early diagnosis and treatment, underscoring the need for accurate information. Air pollution is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor, even for individuals who have never smoked, contributing to a substantial portion of lung cancer diagnoses.
Beyond smoking, environmental factors like air pollution and secondhand smoke are critical drivers of lung cancer. It's vital to understand that lung cancer manifests in different types, such as non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, each requiring specific treatment tailored through biomarker testing.
Fortunately, advancements in medical science have transformed lung cancer care. Innovative therapies like immunotherapy and targeted therapy, combined with traditional methods, have significantly improved survival rates and patient quality of life, moving away from a bleak outlook towards personalized and effective treatment strategies.
