It slashes the survival rates.
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke may reduce survival rates among people with lung cancer. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, the research focused on how air pollution from wildfires affects individuals diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of the disease.
The study analyzed data from over 18,000 lung cancer patients in California between 2017 and 2020, estimating their exposure to wildfire smoke using air quality data linked to their home addresses. According to lead researcher Dr. Surbhi Singhal of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, the tiny particles found in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially worsen lung conditions.
Findings revealed that patients with stage 4 lung cancer who had never smoked were particularly vulnerable. Their risk of death increased by 55% when exposed to high levels of wildfire smoke. Overall, the risk of lung cancer death rose by 20% in those exposed to wildfire pollution.
Interestingly, the study also found that some patients—specifically those with a smoking history receiving immunotherapy—showed improved survival during periods of heavy wildfire smoke. Researchers believe this unexpected outcome may point to interactions between smoke-related inflammation and cancer treatments, but caution that more investigation is needed.
Experts stress the importance of protecting cancer patients and others with serious illnesses in regions affected by wildfires. While these findings offer valuable insights, they remain preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Discussion about this post