With the alarming increase in air pollution levels across the country, lung cancer patients need to take extra precautions to protect their health as air pollution can worsen respiratory symptoms and lead to complications for those already battling lung cancer. The harmful pollutants present in the air, such as fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, can irritate the lungs, trigger inflammation, promote genetic mutations and impair immune responses all of which contribute to the complexity of lung cancer in patients.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ravikumar Wategaonkar, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Onco Life Cancer Center in Satara and Pune, shared, “Air pollution can significantly impact treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients. Various studies revealed that individuals living in polluted areas have poorer response rates to chemotherapy drugs commonly used for lung cancer than those residing in cleaner environments. It is crucial for lung cancer patients to be aware of the potential risks and adopt strategies to minimize exposure.”
By being proactive in reducing exposure to outdoor pollutants and maintaining clean indoor environments, lung cancer patients can mitigate potential health risks associated with air pollution.