Lung, oral and prostate cancers rise among Delhi men: know why
Delhi now leads metro cities in cancer cases among men, with lung, oral and prostate cancers rising due to polluted air, tobacco use and unhealthy lifestyles. Focus on early detection and lifestyle shifts is urgent to curb this trend.
Delhi has taken the top spot among India’s major cities for cancer cases in men, driven by pollution, tobacco use and modern lifestyles. A major study published in JAMA Network Open analysed cancer registry data from across India and found that Delhi’s overall cancer rate was higher than other metro areas, with 146 cases per 100,000 people, especially among men.
Doctors warn this increase is not just a result of better reporting, but reflects more real cases. As urban lifestyles and environmental risks grow, so too does the burden of cancer, particularly in men living in the capital.
WHY POLLUTION AND LIFESTYLE MATTER
Oncologists point to key environmental and lifestyle factors behind the rising cancer rates in Delhi:
Air pollution — Fine particles like PM2.5 in Delhi’s air burden lungs and respiratory systems, increasing lung cancer risk over time.
Tobacco use — Smoking and chewing tobacco remain major causes of oral and lung cancers.
Unhealthy lifestyle — Less physical activity, more junk food and obesity create conditions where cancer cells can thrive.
Pollution doesn’t only affect smokers. Increasing evidence shows that even people who never smoked can develop lung cancer from toxic air exposure, a trend seen globally and mirrored in Delhi.
MOST COMMON CANCERS SEEN IN MEN
According to specialists, three cancers are especially common among men in Delhi:
Lung cancer – Strongly linked to polluted air and smoking.
Oral cancer – Mostly caused by tobacco and gutka chewing.
Prostate cancer – More frequent with ageing and linked to lifestyle.
These cancers are appearing more often than in previous years, especially in urban environments where air quality is poor and habits like smoking are widespread.
YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE GETTING AFFECTED TOO
Cancer used to be more common in older adults, but doctors in Delhi are now seeing younger patients with advanced disease. One key reason is that cancers are often detected late, after symptoms become serious. In many cases, people ignore early signs or attribute symptoms like persistent cough or fatigue to pollution or stress rather than getting screened early.
Early detection significantly improves treatment success, but low participation in regular screening means many cases are only caught at advanced stages.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Experts say tackling this growing health problem requires action on several fronts:
Reduce tobacco use — Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco can cut cancer risk drastically.
Improve air quality — Cleaner air standards and reduced emissions will help lower lung cancer risk.
Promote healthy habits — Balanced diets and regular activity support stronger immunity and long-term health.
Screen early — Regular check-ups help catch cancer sooner, when it’s easier to treat.
Taking these steps early can help lower the chances of cancer developing and improve outcomes for those affected.
Delhi has taken the top spot among India’s major cities for cancer cases in men, driven by pollution, tobacco use and modern lifestyles. A major study published in JAMA Network Open analysed cancer registry data from across India and found that Delhi’s overall cancer rate was higher than other metro areas, with 146 cases per 100,000 people, especially among men.
Doctors warn this increase is not just a result of better reporting, but reflects more real cases. As urban lifestyles and environmental risks grow, so too does the burden of cancer, particularly in men living in the capital.
WHY POLLUTION AND LIFESTYLE MATTER
Oncologists point to key environmental and lifestyle factors behind the rising cancer rates in Delhi:
Air pollution — Fine particles like PM2.5 in Delhi’s air burden lungs and respiratory systems, increasing lung cancer risk over time.
Tobacco use — Smoking and chewing tobacco remain major causes of oral and lung cancers.
Unhealthy lifestyle — Less physical activity, more junk food and obesity create conditions where cancer cells can thrive.
Pollution doesn’t only affect smokers. Increasing evidence shows that even people who never smoked can develop lung cancer from toxic air exposure, a trend seen globally and mirrored in Delhi.
MOST COMMON CANCERS SEEN IN MEN
According to specialists, three cancers are especially common among men in Delhi:
Lung cancer – Strongly linked to polluted air and smoking.
Oral cancer – Mostly caused by tobacco and gutka chewing.
Prostate cancer – More frequent with ageing and linked to lifestyle.
These cancers are appearing more often than in previous years, especially in urban environments where air quality is poor and habits like smoking are widespread.
YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE GETTING AFFECTED TOO
Cancer used to be more common in older adults, but doctors in Delhi are now seeing younger patients with advanced disease. One key reason is that cancers are often detected late, after symptoms become serious. In many cases, people ignore early signs or attribute symptoms like persistent cough or fatigue to pollution or stress rather than getting screened early.
Early detection significantly improves treatment success, but low participation in regular screening means many cases are only caught at advanced stages.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Experts say tackling this growing health problem requires action on several fronts:
Reduce tobacco use — Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco can cut cancer risk drastically.
Improve air quality — Cleaner air standards and reduced emissions will help lower lung cancer risk.
Promote healthy habits — Balanced diets and regular activity support stronger immunity and long-term health.
Screen early — Regular check-ups help catch cancer sooner, when it’s easier to treat.
Taking these steps early can help lower the chances of cancer developing and improve outcomes for those affected.