Lung cancer among non-smokers increases; air pollution could be culprit: Lancet report

The findings of the study showed that adenocarcinoma, accounted for 53-70 per cent of the lung cancer cases in non-smokers globally in 2022.

Published on: Feb 4, 2025, 09:13:47 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Lung cancer cases among non-smokers are rising, with air pollution potentially contributing to the increase, according to a new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal on World Cancer Day.

The findings of the study showed that adenocarcinoma, a cancer that originates in the glands that produce fluids such as mucus, accounted for 53-70 per cent of lung cancer cases in non-smokers globally in 2022.

Also Read: Cervical cancer could be hiding in plain sight. Here’s what women must watch for

Unlike the other lung cancer types that they identified, adenocarcinoma is only weakly linked to cigarette smoking, the study notes. As smoking rates decline worldwide, the proportion of lung cancer cases among non-smokers has grown.

Adenocarcinoma has also become the most common type of cancer found across all sexes. In 2022, the study estimates there were 9.08 lakh new cases of lung cancer in women, with 59.7 percent being adenocarcinoma.

Also Read: Alarming rise of lung cancer in non-smoking Indians more than Westerners: Understanding the disparity

Additionally, 80,378 of these cases in women were linked to particulate matter (PM) pollution.

Experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) led the study.

The teams analysed data from the Global Cancer Observatory, 2022, and other sources to categorise lung cancer cases into four subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small—and large-cell carcinoma.

As of 2019, nearly the entire global population lives in areas with air quality levels below WHO standards.

Lead author of the research study, Freddie Bray, head of IARC’s cancer surveillance branch, explained "The diverging trends by sex in recent generations offer insights to cancer prevention specialists and policy-makers seeking to develop and implement tobacco and air pollution control strategies tailored to high-risk populations."

The authors also stated in the study that “lung cancer in people who have never smoked is estimated to be the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, occurring almost exclusively as adenocarcinoma and most commonly in women and Asian populations.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.