Air pollution can trigger lung cancer in non-smokers: Study
Air pollution has been linked to variety of health problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and dementia. But how it causes cancer to start in people who have never smoked has been a mystery up to now.
The scientists examined a type of lung cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant lung cancer.
A research by international team of scientists have revealed how air pollution can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked. The research found that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air promotes the growth of cells in the lungs which carry cancer-causing mutations, according to Francis Crick Institute.
Examining data from over 400,000 people, the scientists also found higher rates of other types of cancer in areas with high levels of PM2.5. They speculate that air pollution could promote the growth of cells carrying cancer-causing mutations elsewhere in the body, stated the research presented by Professor Swanton at the ESM on Saturday (10 September).
The scientists examined a type of lung cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant lung cancer. Mutations in the EGFR gene are commonly found in lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
They examined data taken from over 400,000 people from the UK and Asian countries, comparing rates of EGFR mutant lung cancer in areas with different levels of PM2.5 pollution. They found higher rates of EGFR mutant lung cancer, as well as higher rates of other types of cancer, in people living in areas with higher levels of PM2.5 pollution.
Air pollution has been linked to variety of health problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and dementia. But how it causes cancer to start in people who have never smoked has been a mystery up to now. Francis Crick Institute is an independent charity, established to be a UK flagship for discovery research in biomedicine.
