NAIROBI, Kenya – A growing number of lung cancer cases among non-smokers—particularly women and people in Southeast Asia—are being linked to air pollution, according to a new study published on Tuesday.
The study, released in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal on World Cancer Day, highlights that lung cancer remains the most common form of cancer, with 2.5 million cases diagnosed globally in 2022.
While men still constitute the majority of cases, nearly a million diagnoses were among women, reflecting a concerning trend.
Adenocarcinoma, a key subtype of lung cancer, has now become the dominant form among women in 185 countries.
The study found that air pollution is a significant contributor to this shift, with adenocarcinoma accounting for 53–70% of lung cancer cases in individuals who have never smoked.
“As smoking prevalence continues to decline in many countries, the proportion of lung cancer cases among non-smokers has increased,” the researchers noted. “Lung cancer in non-smokers is now estimated to be the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, occurring almost exclusively as adenocarcinoma, and disproportionately affecting women and Asian populations.”
The findings were based on statistical data from global monitoring bodies, including the World Health Organization.
The highest levels of adenocarcinoma associated with air pollution were detected in East Asia, particularly in China, where household air pollution from burning solid fuels for heating and cooking was identified as a potential contributing factor.
With the rise in lung cancer cases among non-smokers, researchers are calling for stronger air quality regulations and increased awareness about environmental risks, particularly in high-exposure regions.
