Air pollution and lung cancer

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) in outdoor air is a major cause of lung cancer. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge regarding the effects of outdoor air pollution on lung cancer development and progression. There is clear and substantial evidence of a link between outdoor ambient air pollution and lung cancer. There is an interplay between environmental exposure and host factors, especially in those with genetic risk. PM can promote development and progression of lung cancer through inflammatory and immune mechanisms on pre-existing oncogenic mutations, by altering the lung microbiome and through metabolic perturbations. There is an urgent need to support efforts to improve air quality by reducing fossil fuel use. Health professionals and policy decision makers play an important role in supporting continued advances in research and implementation of measures to reduce the adverse health effects of outdoor air pollution.

Keywords

• Air pollution. Lung cancer. Particulate matter.