Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

New AIIMS Study To Probe How PM2.5 Is Surging Lung Cancer Risk In India

Once affecting people who smoked tobacco, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lung-cancer">lung cancer</a></span> in India is today more common among people who never smoked. The major reason: exposure to poor air, almost year-round. 

Although <span>air pollution</span> has emerged as an important risk for lung cancer, the evidence on this issue from India is limited. To explore more on this, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, today announced undertaking a major study.

The study, dubbed ‘AIRCARE (Air Pollution and Cancer Research Ecosystem): Center for Advanced Research on Environmental Health and Lung Cancer Risk’, will examine the connection between the <span>fine particulate matter</span> 2.5 (PM 2.5) and the risk of lung cancer in the country. 

PM2.5 particles, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, are approximately 30 times smaller than a human hair. It is a significant yet often unseen threat to air quality. 

“India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and there is an urgent need to scientifically look at the effects of pollution on people’s health. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among males in India, and there is a high number of non-smoking lung cancers among females and young adults,” said Dr. Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology at <span>AIIMS</span>, who will lead the study, while addressing the media. 

“It is deeply concerning that lung cancer, once assumed to be a disease mostly associated with people who smoke tobacco, is now seeing a rapid increase in incidence amongst people who do not smoke,” he added.

The expert urged the "need to implement policy and management strategies to tackle this disease and mitigate further loss of life”.

<h2>The <span rel="noindex">AIRCARE Study</span> </h2>

It will be the first-of-its-kind scientific study in India to evaluate the effects of exposure to air pollution. 

About 1,615 lung cancer cases with 1,615 controls from their family members will be added to the study. 

The study will employ both a cohort and case-control design to track the effects of chronic PM 2.5 exposure on lung cancer incidence across various demographics and socio-economic groups.

It will also attempt to isolate an Indian population-specific genetic imprint. 

Based on the findings, the researchers aim to develop a risk- based screening model that will include both clinical and molecular components specific to the Indian population and exposure levels. 

It will also identify the susceptible population among the cohort who are more at risk of developing lung cancer.

<h2>Lung Cancer And Air Pollution Risks In India </h2>

Data from the National Cancer Registry shows that lung cancer affects about 72,000 people and claims 66,000 lives every year in India -- making it one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the country. 

From a smoker’s illness, lung cancer has now emerged as a major concern due to <span>poor air quality</span>. Several doctors across Delhi and Maharashtra have n noted a significant increase in pulmonary cancer due to air pollution.

A 2025 study at a government hospital in North India found that 52 percent of lung cancer cases were among non-smokers.

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Once affecting people who smoked tobacco, lung cancer in India is today more common among people who never smoked. The major reason: exposure to poor air, almost year-round. Although air pollution has emerged as an important risk for lung cancer, the evidence on this issue from India is limited. To explore more on this, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, today announced undertaking a major study.The study, dubbed ‘AIRCARE (Air Pollution and Cancer Research Ecosystem): Center for Advanced Research on Environmental Health and Lung Cancer Risk’, will examine the connection between the fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and the risk of lung cancer in the country. PM2.5 particles, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, are approximately 30 times smaller than a human hair. It is a significant yet often unseen threat to air quality. “India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and there is an urgent need to scientifically look at the effects of pollution on people’s health. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among males in India, and there is a high number of non-smoking lung cancers among females and young adults,” said Dr. Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, who will lead the study, while addressing the media. “It is deeply concerning that lung cancer, once assumed to be a disease mostly associated with people who smoke tobacco, is now seeing a rapid increase in incidence amongst people who do not smoke,” he added.The expert urged the "need to implement policy and management strategies to tackle this disease and mitigate further loss of life”. The AIRCARE Study It will be the first-of-its-kind scientific study in India to evaluate the effects of exposure to air pollution. About 1,615 lung cancer cases with 1,615 controls from their family members will be added to the study. The study will employ both a cohort and case-control design to track the effects of chronic PM 2.5 exposure on lung cancer incidence across various demographics and socio-economic groups. It will also attempt to isolate an Indian population-specific genetic imprint. Based on the findings, the researchers aim to develop a risk- based screening model that will include both clinical and molecular components specific to the Indian population and exposure levels. It will also identify the susceptible population among the cohort who are more at risk of developing lung cancer. Lung Cancer And Air Pollution Risks In India Data from the National Cancer Registry shows that lung cancer affects about 72,000 people and claims 66,000 lives every year in India -- making it one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the country. From a smoker’s illness, lung cancer has now emerged as a major concern due to poor air quality. Several doctors across Delhi and Maharashtra have n noted a significant increase in pulmonary cancer due to air pollution.A 2025 study at a government hospital in North India found that 52 percent of lung cancer cases were among non-smokers.