Most ‘lung cancer’ cases in Mumbai attributed to rising pollution: Govt

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was informed that rising pollution levels in Mumbai are significantly contributing to lung cancer cases in the state. Findings from a recent cancer screening campaign conducted by the state Public Health Department revealed that lung cancer accounts for 57% of diagnosed cases, with pollution identified as a major factor.

State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the screening drive detected 1,677 cancer patients across Maharashtra. Besides lung cancer, a substantial number of oral, cervical and breast cancer cases were reported. Breast cancer among women is showing an alarming rise, with delays in early detection contributing to the increasing case burden, he noted.

The issue was raised through a calling attention motion by MLA Sunil Prabhu, who urged the government to immediately allocate funds to Tata Memorial Hospital as well as other government and private hospitals to strengthen treatment facilities. Several legislators, including Amin Patel and Sulabha Khodke, voiced concern over the growing number of cancer patients.

In response, Abitkar said the government plans to establish a three-tier cancer care system at the taluka, district and state levels. He stressed the need to set up nearly 100 hospitals on the lines of Tata Memorial Hospital to meet rising demand.

Currently, radiotherapy services are operational in eight of the state’s 36 districts, with tenders issued to expand the facility to 26 more locations. The government is also considering including PET scan diagnostics under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana to make the costly test more accessible.

Additionally, the state plans to increase the number of cancer diagnostic vans beyond the existing eight and deploy them across all districts to ensure early detection and timely treatment.

Pollution Killing Everywhere

Moreover, in August 2025, the 2025 Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) revealed that residents of national capital Delhi stand to lose 8.2 years of their life expectancy due to persistently high concentrations of PM2.5 in the city’s air. The study also held that pollution causes an average Indian to lose 3.5 years of life expectancy while the global average stands at 1.9 years.