Today, lung cancer is the most commonly seen disease and is the leading cause of cancer death in all around the world. Over 1.6 million people die every year and it’s quite strange that whenever we talk about lung cancers, our mind eventually goes to associate them with tobacco smoke. But, do you know that lung can also occur in the people who have never smoked in their entire life. I know that you might think that how can it be possible, Right!.
Well, as per data about 15% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and get the report that they have no history of tobacco use. Whereas, over 20% of women who developed lung cancer have never smoked. In fact, in the survey obtained that lung cancer in the non-smoker is considered the 6th or 7th most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Although, there’s no India specific empirical data, in recent years a large number of patients are being diagnosed in whom there is no history of tobacco smoking.
Lung Cancer day is on August 1, 2018, and let’s now examine how smog and air pollution is putting us at a greater risk of lung cancer.
The Lead Cause Of Lung Cancer
1. There are some of the common causes of lung cancer in non-smokers, that are as follows:-
2. Air Pollution both indoor and outdoor.
3. Exposure to second-hand smoke, in general words, called passive smoking.
4. Diesel exhaust fumes
5. Asbestos exposure
6. Exposure to radon gas
7. Genetic predisposition
PM 2.5 pollutants are deposited in the lungs and are not destroyed by the body’s internal defense mechanism. Recently, air pollution has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer. Although the increased risk of cancer is small for individuals because everyone is exposed to some air pollution and it has an important effect on the population as a whole. The risk is sometimes said to be similar to what is seen with secondhand smoke exposure.
Moreover, there are two main types of air pollution: ozone and particle pollution. Despite, both are harmful to our health. Particle pollution, in particular, is associated with the lung cancer. It is a mix of solid and liquid particles, which are made up of different chemical and biological components. They come from burning wood, diesel fossil fuels. The most dangerous particles are about 2.5 microns or smaller say less than 1/7 the diameter of a human hair in size. All these are also called PM2.5 (Particulate Matter). So, if you haven’t smoked ever then also never mind your chances of getting Air Pollution is still high.
How and what makes Air Pollution So Risky?
Above particles are dumped into the lungs and are not destroyed by the body’s internal defense mechanism. They can lead to changes in the cells and tissue, that can further cause cancer. In the year 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) brought together a panel of experts to review the evidence on outdoor air pollution and cancer. This panel came to an end that there are many proofs to say that outdoor air pollution is much enough that can cause cancer in the people.
Where in the same year, an 8-year-old girl in China was diagnosed with lung cancer and she was the youngest lung cancer patient in China. Her doctor said that her lung cancer was a result of air pollution. Level of exposure to air pollution has increased significantly in some parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, it is reported that mostly in low and middle-income countries with large populations suffers the most.
Exhausted outdoor pollution from vehicles, power plants, wood stoves, and other sources contains tine particles like PM2.5 that can contribute to lung cancer. Higher the level of air pollution, the higher the risk of developing lung cancer. People are regularly exposed to higher air pollution, which actually increases the risk of lung cancer in them. But, still, it is hard to say exactly how much the risk is affected by the area people are living in. PM2.5 is the best-understood air pollution and the risk of developing lung cancer increases as the level of 2.5 increases.
It has been found in the UK, that an estimated 7.8% of the lung cancers each year are thought to be caused by PM2.5 air exposure.
What Type of Mask Should I Buy?
So, Who's At Risk?
The surrounding where the particle pollution levels are high, people lives are at high risk. Children, Elderly people, and those who suffer lung, heart, and diabetes are at high risk. People with low income and people who work or exercise outdoors are also at risk causing lung cancer. Also, those who use solid fuels for cooking and heating at home come under high risk of developing lung cancer. In developed countries where having strict legislation, there is a significant decrease in air pollution as well as lung cancer, but it is still a huge problem in other parts of the developing world.
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