A new study published on World Cancer Day reveals that the proportion of people being diagnosed with lung cancer who have never smoked is increasing globally. According to the study, which analyzed data from 2022, lung cancer cases among non-smokers were almost exclusively adenocarcinoma, a subtype of the disease.
Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization found that air pollution was the main contributor to these cases. The study notes that as smoking prevalence declines, the risk of developing adenocarcinoma increases due to exposure to poor air quality.
The findings highlight the need for effective prevention strategies tailored to high-risk populations, particularly women, who are seeing diverging trends in lung cancer incidence by subtype. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and is expected to claim nearly 125,000 lives in 2025.
Dr. Freddie Bray, lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of understanding how air pollution and smoking patterns impact lung cancer risk, offering insights for cancer prevention specialists and policy-makers to develop targeted strategies.
Source: https://people.com/lung-cancer-increasing-among-people-who-have-never-smoked-8785778