Over the last few years, there has been a rising increase in lung cancer cases among non-smokers. Lung cancer has long been considered as a smoker’s disease and this changing trend has alarmed authorities to expand their purview of lung cancer. It is no longer restricted to just smokers but other factors are also responsible for getting trapped in this deadly disease.
AIIMS Study on Air Pollution and Lung Cancer
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has launched a study to examine whether prolonged exposure to air pollution and especially PM2.5 is contributing to lung cancer. The study has enrolled 1615 lung cancer patients and 1615 of their family members who are likely to have been exposed to similar pollution levels.
AIRCARE Study and Research Leadership
The AIRCARE study is being led by Dr Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, AIIMS. “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,” Dr Shankar stated. “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,” Dr Shankar said.
Study Design and Research Approach
One of the aspects of the study will be to employ both a cohort and case-control design to track the effects of PM2.5 exposure on lung cancers across demographic and socio-economic groups. Another aspect is to search for unique genetic signature in Indian population who are being exposed to air pollution. With this data, the researchers will be able to develop risk-based screening model based on clinical and molecular components specific to Indian population. In addition, it will also identify those who are more at risk of developing lung cancer.
Timeline and Expected Outcomes
The research is expected to take around three years to complete and will aim to identify the population that are more vulnerable to developing lung cancer due to long-term exposure to polluted air.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.
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