Lung cancer is the leading cause of incidence and mortality from this disease worldwide. In recent years, subtype patterns have changed significantly, and a relationship between air pollution and this condition has been demonstrated.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently provided statistics and details about the factors that influenced the increase in cases.
## Lung cancer: the relationship with air pollution
In 2022, **2.5 million cases of lung cancer** were diagnosed, corresponding to an annual incidence rate of **23.6 cases per 100,000 people**.
According to the Agency, which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), the patterns of this type of cancer have changed significantly over the last few decades.
While incidence rates in men have generally decreased in most countries over the last **30 to 40 years**, they have tended to increase among women.
The entity explained that changes in cigarette manufacturing and tobacco consumption patterns over the last decades have influenced lung cancer incidence trends by subtype.
Additionally, it indicated that there is increasing evidence of a **causal link** between **environmental pollution** from particulate matter and a higher risk of **adenocarcinoma**.
## Subtypes
A new study published today in the medical journal *The Lancet*, on the eve of **World Cancer Day**, detailed that there are four main subtypes of lung cancer: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
The research data, corresponding to 2022, showed that lung adenocarcinoma has emerged as the predominant subtype in recent years. With an **increase in observed risks** among younger generations, particularly women, in most countries evaluated.
The study also highlights that the greatest burden of lung adenocarcinoma **attributable to environmental pollution** from particulate matter was recorded in **East Asia**, particularly in **China**.
## Changes in incidence
“They also offer clues on how we can optimally prevent lung cancer worldwide,” emphasized the Head of the Cancer Surveillance Division, head of the Agency, and lead author of the analysis, **Freddie Bray**.
The study specifies that of the nearly 2.5 million cases of lung cancer documented worldwide in 2022, around **200,000 were of the adenocarcinoma subtype**, attributable to environmental pollution from particulate matter.
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