New analyses from MAIR, the International Cancer Working Agency, show that lung cancer diagnoses are rising across the globe and that air pollution stands out as a major driver of this increase. A recent international study supports the link between poor air quality and higher risk of developing lung cancer, underscoring the need for strong environmental and health measures.
In 2022, roughly 200,000 cases of adenocarcinoma were attributed to contaminated air. This subtype remains the most common form of lung cancer and appears more frequently in populations exposed to polluted environments.
For individuals who have never smoked, lung cancer remains among the top five causes of cancer death worldwide. Adenocarcinoma accounts for a substantial share of cases in this group, approaching seven in ten. In 2022, adenocarcinoma represented about 45.6% of male lung cancer cases and 59.7% in female cases.
With smoking prevalence declining in several developed nations, including the United Kingdom and the United States, the relative share of lung cancer among never-smokers is rising. This shift emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental risks as a public health priority.
Air pollution has a pronounced impact on residents of East Asia, particularly in China, where the number of adenocarcinoma cases linked to polluted air is especially high. Yet the problem is not confined to one region; communities around the world are affected.
Experts urge heightened vigilance among women for symptoms such as a persistent cough or shortness of breath and recommend regular medical checkups. They advocate for policy actions to reduce air pollution levels and to strengthen tobacco control as part of a comprehensive cancer prevention strategy.
Earlier research indicated progress in stopping tumor growth by interrupting the synthesis of a key regulatory protein.