Climate Change, Wildfires And Rising Lung Cancer Risks Globally

When we refer to climate change, most people think of melting glaciers, high sea levels, or extreme weather. But one of the worst consequences is taking place right in our lungs. Across continents, wildfires

have become more frequent, more intense, and more destructive. Not only forests and homes are being burned, but generations of people are being exposed to the threat of lung cancer without even realizing it.

Recent research shows that individuals living within 50 kilometers of wildfire sites face a 5 percent higher risk of lung cancer, compared to those never exposed. According to Dr. Hemkant Verma, Consultant, Oncology, ShardaCare, Healthcity, the smoke from these fires is “a lethal cocktail of fine particles, heavy metals, and carcinogenic substances that penetrate deep into the respiratory system.” Unlike cigarette smoke, which is a matter of personal choice, wildfire smoke becomes an unavoidable hazard for communities in its path.

The Problem of Wildfire Smoke and Why It Matters

Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 particles, fine pollutants capable of reaching the bloodstream and the deepest airways of the lungs. Dr. Hemkant Verma explains, “Long-term exposure to PM2.5 leads to chronic inflammation and lasting damage to lung tissue, creating conditions where cancer cells can thrive.” In lung cancer patients, he adds, wildfire pollution can further reduce survival chances, especially among those who have never smoked.

Children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory illnesses are the most vulnerable. But even healthy adults are at risk. Dr. Verma notes that the rise in non-smoking-related lung cancer cases worldwide is increasingly linked to environmental exposures, including air pollution and wildfire smoke.

A Growing Global Health Challenge

From California to Canada, Australia to Greece, and even parts of India, wildfires are becoming seasonal disasters. Intense heat, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rain, driven by global warming are creating ideal fuel for these fires. What once seemed rare now feels routine. “Each time a major blaze occurs, millions inhale air equivalent to smoking dozens of cigarettes a day,” Dr. Hemkant Verma warns.

A landmark study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, which tracked more than two million individuals over nearly two decades, found that wildfire exposure triggers not only short-term respiratory damage but also long-term cancer risks. This transforms wildfires from an environmental issue into a critical cancer prevention priority.

What Can Be Done

“The fight against climate change is also a fight against cancer,” emphasizes Dr. Hemkant Verma. He urges governments to invest in better early warning systems, clean-air shelters, and stronger climate policies to reduce wildfire frequency. Healthcare systems, he says, must prepare for a possible rise in pollution-driven cancers by expanding lung cancer screening and public awareness efforts.

At a personal level, Dr. Verma advises residents in wildfire-prone regions to use N95 masks, rely on indoor air purifiers, and remain indoors during heavy smoke events. Oncologists today, he adds, increasingly assess patients’ environmental exposures, as wildfire smoke can worsen treatment outcomes or slow recovery.

Looking Ahead

As an oncologist, Dr. Hemkant Verma has witnessed the devastating impact of lung cancer on families. “The tragedy,” he says, “is that the risks linked to wildfire smoke are preventable.” Climate change is not merely a forest conservation concern, it is a matter of human survival. Every policy, action, and awareness initiative is vital.

The world must recognize that climate change and cancer are now intertwined battles. If we hope for healthier lungs and healthier futures, we must act decisively against the fires threatening both our environment and our bodies.