The devastating impact of air pollution on lung cancer in the UK is a growing concern, with over 1,100 annual diagnoses linked to airborne toxins.
About 200,000 cases of adenocarcinoma were associated with exposure to air pollution worldwide in 2022. In the UK alone, over 1,100 people develop the most prevalent form of lung cancer due to toxic air every year.
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in glandular cells, which are responsible for producing hormones and other substances.
It can occur in various parts of the body, including the lungs, breast, pancreas, and prostate.
According to the American Cancer Society, adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 40% of all 'lung cancer cases' and is the most common type of 'breast cancer in women over 50.'
Adenocarcinoma treatment options vary depending on the location and stage of the 'cancer', but may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these.
Air Pollution and Adenocarcinoma: A Growing Concern
‘Adenocarcinoma has become the dominant subtype of lung cancer among both men and women globally.’_ adenocarcinoma has accounted for 45.6% of cases among men and 59.7% among women in 2022. The _International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that exposure to air pollution was linked to a significant number of adenocarcinoma cases worldwide.
UK Rates Higher than Other Countries
The UK rates of adenocarcinoma caused by toxic air were higher than in the US and Canada, but lower than China. However, they were four times higher than in Finland, which had the lowest rates in northern Europe. The IARC analysis highlights the urgent need for governments to address the ongoing impacts of air pollution on health.
Air pollution is a significant environmental and health concern worldwide.
It is responsible for approximately 7 million premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The main causes of air pollution include industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and burning fossil fuels.
Exposure to poor air quality can lead to 'respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer'.
In urban areas, air pollution levels are often highest due to increased traffic congestion and industrial activity.
Implementing policies to reduce emissions, promoting clean energy sources, and increasing public awareness are essential steps towards mitigating the effects of air pollution.
Experts Call for Action
Health experts, cancer charities, and environmental campaigners have expressed their concern over the findings. “This data is as equally shocking as it is important.’ Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: We have always been aware that air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer, but we can now see how stark the impact truly is.
Andrew Haines, a professor of environmental change and public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, emphasized the imperative for governments to address the ongoing impacts of air pollution on health with greater determination. “We have always been aware that air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer,” Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at World Cancer Research Fund, highlighted the need for concerted government effort to reduce air pollution.
A Call to Action from the Government
The UK government has acknowledged the need to clean up the country’s air but has been criticized for not doing enough. A spokesperson said: “We are determined to clean up the UK’s air to make it safe for everyone to breathe.’ However, critics argue that stronger targets are needed to protect people from the harms of air pollution.
“While tobacco remains the biggest cause of lung cancer in the UK,” Lucy Clark, cancer intelligence manager at Cancer Research UK, said: This major study shows that air pollution causes hundreds of thousands of lung cancer cases every year across the world.
