Lung Cancer: Scientists Have Found It How Does Air Pollution Lead to Cancer? – BBC News Thai

James Gallaher

BBC Health and Science Correspondent

Researchers Discover How Air Pollution Leads to Lung Cancer This is a discovery that has changed our understanding of how cancers occur. Especially in people who have never smoked.

In September, a research team from the Francis Crick Institute in London determined that air pollution can actually cause lung cancer. even in non-smokers by stimulating or awakening old and damaged cells rather than damaging the cells. according to the ancient belief

One of the world’s experts, Professor Charles Swanton, said the discovery made the medical community “Enter a new era” and may lead to the development of drugs to prevent cancer from forming.

Usually, cancer formation occurs in a sequential sequence, starting with healthy cells and gradually mutating at the genetic or DNA level. until cells become abnormal to cancer cells and growing uncontrollably

But this concept of cancer is problematic because the mutation in cancer cells occurs in healthy tissues. But it turned out to be the main cause of cancer. including air pollution Does not damage DNA Rather, it is more about stimulating damaged cells to function again.

Professor Swanton said: “Lung cancer risk from air pollution is less than smoking But as humans cannot control their breathing and, all over the world, people live in environments that are more dangerous from air pollution. . inhaling toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke.

Researchers working at University College London (UCL) have found evidence for a new concept of cancer. especially in non-smokers, stating that in fact the damage is embedded in the DNA of the cells. As we grow and age

But first there must be something that can trigger the damage in the cells’ DNA. It can become a cancerous cell.

The findings come from a survey of why non-smokers develop lung cancer. Obviously, the majority of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, but it also found that 1 in 10 lung cancer cases in United States is related to smoking. caused by air pollution

The Francis Crick Institute research team focused on particulate matter PM 2.5 (PM 2.5), which is smaller than a human hair.

And while conducting detailed animal and human studies, they found that places with high air pollution will find lung cancer patients who are not caused by smoking in a greater proportion.

Inhaling the PM 2.5 powder into the body will stimulate the secretion “Interleukin 1 beta” is released as a chemical response. leading to inflammation until the body has to stimulate the cells in the lungs to repair themselves

But for every 600,000 lung cells in a person in their 50s they have at least one. which are at risk of mutating into cancer cells, which the body normally produces at this risk as people get older But the cells will still look healthy. until it is stimulated to change

An even more important finding was that the researchers were able to inhibit carcinogenicity in mice exposed to air pollution. using drugs to suppress that chemical response The results are two major consecutive discoveries: a greater understanding of the impact of air pollution. and principles of cancer in the body

Dr. Emilia Lim, one of the researchers who is stationed at Crick and UCLA said usually people who have never smoked. But back to lung cancer Often the cause is unknown.

“So giving them a clue as to the cause of cancer that’s why it’s very important” and “even more important, when 99% of the world’s population lives in places where air pollution levels are high. higher than the recommendations of the World Health Organization “.

The results of this experiment also shows that mutations in cells alone are not always a factor that leads to cancer. But other factors could be added as well.

Professor Swanton said the most exciting discovery in the laboratory was the “rethinking of the concept of tumorigenesis” and this could usher in a “new era” of molecular cancer prevention, for example, if you are in a place with a high air pollution You may be able to take anticancer drugs. to reduce the risk

Professor Swanton told the BBC: It may be necessary to consider the principle that smoking even causes cancer and, indeed, the idea that mutated DNA is not enough to cause cancer. Because there must be other factors that stimulate the growth of cancer cells. It has been presented since 1947 by Isaac Berenbloom.

However, Michelle Mitchell, director of the UK Cancer Research Center, stressed that “it is still the leading cause of lung cancer today” but that “science takes years of hard work. And we are changing the idea of ​​how. Cancer sets in and we now have a better understanding of what causes it. “

So how common is lung cancer? The American Cancer Society claims it is small cell lung cancer. and non-small cell It is the second most common cancer in the United States, while it is in men. The most common cancer is prostate cancer. as for the woman it will be breast cancer

The association estimates that by 2022 there will be 236,740 more cases of lung cancer and 130,180 deaths, with the majority of lung cancer cases. People aged 65 and over, but there is a very low chance that people under the age of 45 will develop lung cancer. The average age of lung cancer patients is 70.

Lung cancer also accounts for nearly 25% of all cancer deaths.

for Thailand Dr Weerawut Imsamran, Deputy Director General of the Medical Department, said lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. In Thailand, lung cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers. Which is the second most common in males and the 5th most common in females. About 17,222 new cases are recorded every year, 10,766 males and 6,456 females, of which about 14,586 deaths, equal to 40 cases per day

The main risk factors for lung cancer are smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke and exposure to carcinogens such as radon gas, asbestos, radiation, incense smoke, exhaust gases. and air pollution especially PM 2.5 dust