More non-smokers are being diagnosed with Lung Cancer with air pollution being identified as a significant contributing factor. A recent study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine reveals that lung cancer in non-smokers is now the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
Conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the study found that lung cancer accounts for nearly one in eight cancers diagnosed worldwide and one in five cancer deaths. The most prevalent subtype among non-smokers is adenocarcinoma, which forms in glandular tissue and is particularly vulnerable to airborne pollutants rather than tobacco smoke.
The study analyzed data from the Global Cancer Observatory 2022 and revealed that adenocarcinoma was responsible for 53 to 70 percent of lung cancer cases among never-smokers. Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), was highlighted as a key risk factor. PM2.5 particles, emitted from vehicles, industrial activities, and biomass burning, penetrate deep into the lungs, causing chronic inflammation and DNA damage that can lead to cancer.
In Kenya, lung cancer remains a major health challenge. According to the Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022, there were 794 cases and 729 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 92 percent. The increasing burden of air pollution in cities like Nairobi is exacerbating the risk, as PM2.5 levels frequently exceed WHO’s recommended limits due to vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and open waste burning. Indoor air pollution from charcoal and firewood cooking further threatens public health, particularly among rural women.
Medical experts are raising concerns about the growing impact of pollution on lung health. “Many Kenyans assume that lung cancer is only a smoker’s disease, but we are seeing more patients who have never smoked,” said Dr. Catherine Ndung’u, a Nairobi-based oncologist.
“Air pollution, especially in congested cities, is an important factor that is often overlooked. We need to start looking at pollution control as a cancer prevention strategy, not just an environmental issue.”
Environmental expert David Mwaura echoed these concerns, stating that rapid urbanization has led to increased pollution from vehicles, industries, and poor waste management. He emphasized the need for stronger pollution control measures to safeguard public health.
With lung cancer cases rising among non-smokers, healthcare systems must recognize changing risk factors and improve early detection efforts. Experts stress that addressing air pollution is not just about environmental conservation but also a crucial step in cancer prevention.
