Air Pollution Adversely Affects Patients' Survival

Air pollution has become a major global environmental problem in recent years. Research has found that it causes respiratory and cardiovascular disorders as well as cancer. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as carcinogenic. The latest published statistics state that in 2010, air pollution-related lung cancer caused 223.000 deaths worldwide. However, its effect on survival after cancer diagnosis had not previously been defined.

Image: Air pollution has reached very serious levels in China's capital, Beijing. The sun and blue sky have become almost invisible. One consequence is greater susceptibility to depression among residents because of the overcast atmosphere. Giant screens installed in the city center apparently attempt to alleviate this negative environment somewhat.

A study published last month sought to clarify air pollution's effect on survival. It compared patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 1988-2009, a total of 352.000 people, by survival and residential location. More than 50 percent had advanced cancer (stage 4., metastatic) at diagnosis. Average survival was 4 months for advanced cases and 3.6 years for early-diagnosed patients.

The most striking result was that among cancer patients living 1500 meters from intercity highways, 45 percent had longer survival than those living 300 meters away according to the findings.

In conclusion, air pollution, classified as carcinogenic, was observed to worsen prognosis (disease course) and shorten survival in lung cancer patients. It must be emphasized that pollution is not the only factor shortening survival. Lifestyle and treatment response must also be considered.