Despite growing awareness, tobacco remains one of the biggest preventable causes of cancer globally. Smoking does not only affect the lungs. It is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, stomach, kidney, cervix, and more.
Passive smoking is equally dangerous, especially for children and family members living with smokers.
Dr Mukherjee points out, “Obesity is now clearly associated with several types of cancer: breast, colon, liver and uterine. Likewise, tobacco is one of the major preventable cancer causing agents in India and globally. Risk can also be raised by passive smoking.”
Air pollution has now emerged as another major concern, especially in urban India. Tiny pollutant particles enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream every day. The long-term effects are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Dr Mukherjee adds, “Air pollution is also an emerging problem. Continuous exposure to polluted air may increase the risk of lung cancer and respiratory diseases, especially in urban areas.”
For many people, pollution exposure is unavoidable. But reducing other risks such as smoking, poor diet, and inactivity can still significantly lower the overall burden on the body.