Health Facts: Environmental and Lifestyle Factors That Increase The Risk of Cancer

Health Facts: There is growing concern regarding the link between rising cancer cases and environmental changes. Pollution levels are rapidly rising year after year, with cities like Delhi experiencing severe air pollution. In addition to air quality, people are increasingly exposed to dangerous radiation and toxins in everyday life. Currently, India reports 15 to 16 lakh new cancer cases each year, with WHO, ICMR, and Globocan projecting that number to reach 25 lakh during the next decade. Despite widespread awareness of proven risk factors such as tobacco use, smoking, and alcohol intake, cancer rates continue to increase in India and around the world.

Cancer Causing Factors

While the specific causes are unknown, environmental pollution (traffic emissions, industrial discharge, construction activities, and even home sources such as traditional chulhas), along with climate change, play a significant role. Cancer is sometimes defined as a lifestyle disease, and as India develops rapidly, lifestyle changes play an increasingly important role. Poor food habits, a lack of physical activity, rising obesity rates, and substance abuse all raise cancer chances. These combined factors highlight the urgent need for preventive measures and public health education.