The number of lung cancer diagnoses in individuals who have never smoked is on the rise globally, with air pollution identified as a significant contributing factor. According to the World Health Organization’s cancer agency, lung cancer in non-smokers is now the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This shift has been documented by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which reveals that adenocarcinoma is now the most common type of lung cancer in both men and women globally.
The IARC’s findings indicate that approximately 200,000 cases of adenocarcinoma were attributed to air pollution in 2022. The greatest burden of these cases is found in East Asia, particularly in China, where environmental factors like air pollution contribute to the increasing prevalence of this disease.
Dr. Freddie Bray, the study’s lead author and head of IARC’s cancer surveillance branch, stressed the need for heightened monitoring of lung cancer risks as the global landscape changes. He explained that as smoking rates decline in countries like the UK and US, the proportion of lung cancer cases in non-smokers continues to rise. This phenomenon, Bray noted, underscores the importance of addressing air pollution alongside tobacco use to combat rising cancer rates.
Lung cancer remains the most common and deadliest cancer worldwide, with over 2.5 million diagnoses in 2022. Adenocarcinoma, in particular, accounted for nearly 46% of global cases in men and nearly 60% in women. The subtype has gained prominence, especially among never-smokers, where it now makes up 70% of lung cancer diagnoses.
Despite declining lung cancer rates among men, women are seeing an increase in lung cancer cases. This trend is due to historical differences in smoking patterns, with smoking having peaked earlier in men than in women. However, as women’s smoking rates have risen, they are now facing the same heightened lung cancer risks, emphasizing the need for widespread awareness and preventative strategies.
As scientists continue to explore the causes of lung cancer beyond smoking, air pollution remains a critical factor in the increasing prevalence of adenocarcinoma. Experts are urging further research to identify additional risk factors and to implement strategies to curb air pollution and tobacco use globally. Such efforts could play a key role in reducing the global burden of lung cancer in the future.
