Maharashtra Links Mumbai Pollution to Lung Cancer, Plans Expanded Cancer Care

Maharashtra's health department reported that rising pollution levels in Mumbai contribute to 57% of diagnosed lung cancer cases, based on a screening campaign detecting 1,677 patients statewide. Breast cancer cases among women are also increasing, with delays in early detection noted. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar outlined plans to expand cancer screening and treatment through a three-tier healthcare system and establish around 100 hospitals modeled on Tata Memorial Hospital to address the growing cancer burden.