While the number of smokers in the world as a proportion of the population It is fallingLung cancer continues to cause Almost 2 million deaths Per year, and new research reports on a worrying increase in cases among people who have never ignited a cigarette.
The international team behind the research found that lung cancer rates in this group of people could be linked to increasing levels of pollution and the damage after health, with East Asia, particularly China, the most affected.
“As lung cancer is leading cancer worldwide, an integral understanding of changing epidemiological patterns and their possible causes is essential,” is essential, ” write The researchers in their published article.
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Excavating in the statistics of the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan) survey of 2022, as well as other records of the incidence of cancer that covers the years 1988 to 2017, the investigators identified adenocarcinoma As the most frequent type of lung cancer worldwide, it represents 45.6 percent of cases in men and 59.7 percent in women.
Adenocarcinoma begins in the glands, and although it can certainly be caused by smoking, it is It is not number one Type of smoking cancer. However, it is the most common type of lung cancer In non -smokers.
Cross references their findings with previous studiesResearchers identify a growing trend in cases of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. That is something that needs to address, researchers say, along with continuous efforts for smokers to renounce and discourage young people to occupy the habit in the first place.
“As the prevalence of smoking continues to decrease in many countries worldwide, the proportion of lung cancer in people who have never smoked has increased,” he has increased, “has increased,” write The researchers.
“In particular, it is estimated that lung cancer in people who have never smoked is the fifth main cause of mortality related to cancer worldwide, which occurs almost exclusively as adenocarcinoma and more commonly in women and Asian populations,” .
The research team suggests that part of the reason behind the growing events of lung cancer in non -smokers is the increase in air pollution, and several previous studies They have already joined the points between adenocarcinoma and air pollution.
Again, there is a link to East Asia and especially China, where air quality is some of the worst in the world.
Although a cause of lung cancer is in decrease, another is increasing, and this is less personal lifestyle options and more about global pollution.
As always, the collection and analysis of frequent data should give scientists a better understanding of how lung cancer is developing, and how we could continue addressing one of the most common cancers worldwide.
“Our findings provide information for those who seek to develop and implement strategies to control tobacco and air pollution that adapt to populations with high incidence rates of lung cancer or increasing generational risks.” write The researchers.
The investigation has been published in Lancet respiratory medicine.
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