New findings released by the National Cancer Institute on Wednesday link tiny, toxic air pollutants to genomic changes in lung cancer tumors among non-smokers.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The American Cancer Society reports more deaths from lung cancer annually than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Non-smokers represent 10 to 25 percent of global lung cancer cases. However, research on the causes in non-smokers is less extensive compared to smokers, according to the study’s senior author, Maria Teresa Landi.
“We aimed to identify causes of lung cancer in non-smokers to improve prevention, detection, and therapy,” Landi explained.
In their study, published in Nature, Landi and her team from the NIH’s NCI and UC San Diego analyzed lung tumors from 871 non-smokers across 28 locations on four continents. They discovered that patients in polluted areas had more genetic mutations, including patterns observed in smokers.
The study is part of a larger project, the Sherlock-Lung study, led by Landi.
Air pollution poses a severe health risk, worsening as climate change increases wildfires, drought, and extreme heat. The American Lung Association reported that nearly half of the U.S. population lives with dangerous pollution levels. Air pollution ranks as the second leading cause of lung cancer.
The paper reinforces the link between particulate air pollution and lung cancer. This study builds on genomic research by focusing on the tumor level.
George Thurston, a professor at New York University, noted that the NIH study, in which he was not involved, could reveal which particulate matter types impact health.
“It’s environmental detective work,” Thurston stated. “These tools help us interpret epidemiological results.”
The study found stronger mutation increases from air pollution than secondhand smoke, possibly due to unreliable self-reported data from patients.
“I feel like I’m in the Matrix, and I’m the only one that took the red pill. I know what’s going on, and everybody else is walking around thinking, ‘This stuff isn’t bad for your health.'”
— George Thurston, New York University School of Medicine
Thurston emphasized that while secondhand smoke is hazardous, fossil fuel pollution is more pervasive.
“We are surrounded by fossil-fuel-burning pollution daily,” Thurston said.
The NIH study focused on patients of European and East Asian descent, primarily in Europe, North America, and Asia. Landi plans future studies to include participants from Latin America, Africa, and Australia.
Geographic differences in mutations were noted, such as a gene mutation linked to aristolochic acid exposure, a plant-based substance tied to various cancers, found predominantly in Taiwanese subjects.
The study adds to evidence on environmental impacts on lung health. A paper published in March suggested global warming could increase airway inflammation risk by mid-century.
Meanwhile, federal research funding cuts—including NIH projects—studying climate change health impacts and pollution’s social disparities are ongoing.
The NIH study’s release follows the U.S. Senate’s vote to pass a bill cutting emission reduction incentives while providing fossil fuel subsidies and slashing health care for low-income Americans through $1 trillion in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts.
Continued fossil fuel use exacerbates air pollution, increasing healthcare costs and health risks.
“Many elements of this bill will make Americans sicker,” Melody Reis from Moms Clean Air Force wrote. The bill’s effects could make healthcare inaccessible for millions.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org