Air pollution in question in more than one in two cases among non-smokers

Air pollution in question in more than one in two cases among non-smokers


It is World Cancer Day. On this occasion, a study which reveals that air pollution would be one of the main factors explaining the increase in lung cancers among non-smokers has just been published in the scientific newspaper The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

In 2022, nearly 200,000 cases would be linked to the fine particles present in the air.

The proportion of cancers in non-smokers continues to increase

Lung cancer remains the most common worldwide, with around 2.5 million new cases in 2022. If the majority of people affected are men (1.6 million cases), the gap with women is reduced (910,000 cases). Among the different types of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma has become the most widespread. It now represents almost 46 % of cases in men and 60 % in women, against 39 % and 51.7 % in 2020 respectively.

Formerly mainly linked to smoking, lung cancer now affects more and more non-smokers: if the number of smokers decreases in many countries, the proportion of cancers in non-smokers continues to increase. The study stresses that adenocarcinoma has become the fifth cause of cancer death in the world, and mainly affects Asian women and populations.

Consult our file on lung cancer

99 % of the world’s population exudes polluted air

Researchers believe that air pollution plays a key role in this evolution. Since 2019, approximately 99 % of the world’s population has exuded an air that does not meet the quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Fine particles, from vehicles, industries and wood or coal heating, are particularly dangerous for health.

In East Asia, and especially in China, where pollution remains very high, exposure to these particles could explain why many women develop lung cancer, even without having ever smoked.

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For the implementation of “cancer registers”

Even if the study recognizes certain limits in data collection, it highlights the importance of monitoring the evolution of cases of lung cancer and better understanding the impact of pollution.

Researchers call on the authorities to act by implementing more stringent policies against air pollution. They argue for the implementation of cancer registers and for exploring the role of air pollution, where smoking is not considered the main cause of this disease.

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