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Rachel V Thomas

Not Just Lungs: PM2.5 Driving Breast, Liver Cancer Mortality, Says Global Study

Beyond lung cancers, <span>air pollution</span> fine <span>particulate matter</span> (PM2.5) is increasing mortality for breast as well as liver cancers, according to a global study led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), including researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 

The important study showed that long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the overall risk of developing cancer and the chances of dying from it compared with those living in cleaner environments.

For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) increase in PM2.5 exposure, the overall risk of cancers increases by more than 11 per cent. At the same time, the risk of death also increases by more than 12 per cent for every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 exposure. 

The researchers argued that while other common risk factors like tobacco and alcohol are being targeted with notable progress, air pollution is silently eroding the gains being made. 

“We have made huge strides in reducing deaths from cancer, but polluted air is silently undermining that progress. It is a risk people cannot opt out of, and one that disproportionately affects women, children, and people living in poverty,” Cary Adams, CEO, UICC. 

“The cancer community continues to make progress in addressing other major risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections such as HPV and HBV that cause cervical and liver cancers. It is increasingly clear that air pollution must also be recognized as a major and preventable factor that increases the risk of developing cancer and of dying from the disease,” added Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, IARC.

<h2>Risks of PM2.5: Beyond <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lung-cancer">Lung Cancer</a></span> </h2>

The study, based on data from 42 meta-analyses and systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2024, showed significantly strong associations for liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. 

As per recent data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), PM₂.₅ exposure contributes to 434,000 lung cancers per year, accounting for more than a quarter of preventable lung cancers in women and nearly one in six in men. 

In addition to lung cancer risk, the study noted that the rising levels of PM2.5 are associated with 

<ul><li>a 32 per cent higher incidence of <span rel="noindex">liver cancer</span> </li><li>an 18 per cent increase in the odds of developing <span rel="noindex">colorectal cancer</span>.</li></ul>Further, mortality risks also rise as pollution levels increase, with 

<ul><li>a 12 per cent higher overall risk of dying from cancer, </li><li>a 20 per cent higher risk of death from <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/breast-cancer">breast cancer</a></span>, </li><li>a 14 per cent from liver cancer, </li><li>a 12 per cent from lung cancer. </li></ul>  <h2>Who Is At A Higher Risk </h2>

According to the researchers, people living in low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest overall burden. These countries frequently lack the resources to reduce pollution at source or to provide timely access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

The challenge is compounded by the projected rise in global cancer cases, expected to increase from 20 million in 2022 to 35 million by 2050. People at risk include: 

<ul><li>Women and children, particularly in settings where solid fuels are used for cooking and heating.</li><li>Women exposed to household air pollution face a 69 per cent higher risk of lung cancer, alongside increased risks of cervical cancer.</li><li>Outdoor workers and communities living near industrial facilities are also at heightened risk, with exposure often concentrated in economically deprived areas. </li></ul>

The researchers underscored that the evidence presented in the report is already sufficient to justify decisive action to reduce exposure to polluted air. They called upon policymakers to make required changes across energy, transport, industry, and urban planning to reduce the risk of cancer from air pollution. 

The study urged the need for properly implementing effective interventions that are well-established. These include: 

<ul><li>Stronger emissions standards and enforcing the WHO air quality Standards </li><li>A transition to clean energy and clean cooking</li><li>Improved urban design by investing more in green infrastructure </li><li>Expanded air-quality monitoring in High-Risk Areas </li><li> Update cancer control plans.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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PM 2 5

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particulate matter

ICMR study

air pollution cancer risk

Liver Cancer

Breast cancer

lung cancer

colorectal cancer

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Beyond lung cancers, air pollution fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is increasing mortality for breast as well as liver cancers, according to a global study led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), including researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The important study showed that long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the overall risk of developing cancer and the chances of dying from it compared with those living in cleaner environments. For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) increase in PM2.5 exposure, the overall risk of cancers increases by more than 11 per cent. At the same time, the risk of death also increases by more than 12 per cent for every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 exposure. The researchers argued that while other common risk factors like tobacco and alcohol are being targeted with notable progress, air pollution is silently eroding the gains being made.  “We have made huge strides in reducing deaths from cancer, but polluted air is silently undermining that progress. It is a risk people cannot opt out of, and one that disproportionately affects women, children, and people living in poverty,” Cary Adams, CEO, UICC. “The cancer community continues to make progress in addressing other major risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections such as HPV and HBV that cause cervical and liver cancers. It is increasingly clear that air pollution must also be recognized as a major and preventable factor that increases the risk of developing cancer and of dying from the disease,” added Dr Elisabete Weiderpass, Director, IARC. Risks of PM2.5: Beyond Lung Cancer The study, based on data from 42 meta-analyses and systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2024, showed significantly strong associations for liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. As per recent data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), PM₂.₅ exposure contributes to 434,000 lung cancers per year, accounting for more than a quarter of preventable lung cancers in women and nearly one in six in men. In addition to lung cancer risk, the study noted that the rising levels of PM2.5 are associated with a 32 per cent higher incidence of liver cancer an 18 per cent increase in the odds of developing colorectal cancer.Further, mortality risks also rise as pollution levels increase, with a 12 per cent higher overall risk of dying from cancer, a 20 per cent higher risk of death from breast cancer, a 14 per cent from liver cancer, a 12 per cent from lung cancer.   Who Is At A Higher Risk According to the researchers, people living in low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest overall burden. These countries frequently lack the resources to reduce pollution at source or to provide timely access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The challenge is compounded by the projected rise in global cancer cases, expected to increase from 20 million in 2022 to 35 million by 2050. People at risk include: Women and children, particularly in settings where solid fuels are used for cooking and heating.Women exposed to household air pollution face a 69 per cent higher risk of lung cancer, alongside increased risks of cervical cancer.Outdoor workers and communities living near industrial facilities are also at heightened risk, with exposure often concentrated in economically deprived areas. What Actions Are Required? The researchers underscored that the evidence presented in the report is already sufficient to justify decisive action to reduce exposure to polluted air. They called upon policymakers to make required changes across energy, transport, industry, and urban planning to reduce the risk of cancer from air pollution. The study urged the need for properly implementing effective interventions that are well-established. These include: Stronger emissions standards and enforcing the WHO air quality Standards A transition to clean energy and clean cookingImproved urban design by investing more in green infrastructure Expanded air-quality monitoring in High-Risk Areas  Update cancer control plans.

air pollution not just lungs: pm2.5 driving breast, liver cancer mortality, says global study icmr

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