Air Pollution and Lifestyle Raise Cancer Risk

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer diagnosis and death worldwide, with cigarette smoking as its primary risk factor, but growing evidence now links air pollution, especially ultrafine particles from traffic emissions, to increased risks of both lung cancer and brain tumors such as meningioma. Recent studies, including research from Denmark, have shown that long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with higher rates of meningioma and certain gene mutations related to lung cancer. The impact of second-hand smoke appears minimal in lung cancer mutations among never-smokers, while environmental and lifestyle factors are increasingly recognized as major contributors to cancer risk. The socio-economic burden of these cancers is substantial, comprising treatment costs, productivity losses, and premature deaths. Medical experts stress the need for enhanced prevention strategies, including public awareness, early detection, and the development of biomarkers. Ongoing research is also investigating the risks associated with newer behaviors such as vaping and marijuana use.