Air pollution fuels lung cancer DNA mutations
A major global study has found that breathing polluted air can cause DNA changes in the lungs—even if you've never smoked.
Researchers looked at 871 never-smokers with lung cancer and found a clear link between air pollution and cancer-promoting mutations in this group.
Polluted air tied to mutations in TP53 gene
The study showed that tiny particles in polluted air are tied to mutations in the TP53 gene, which is usually seen in smokers.
People from more polluted areas also had signs of faster cell aging, and researchers even spotted unique genetic changes connected to certain herbal medicines.
Cleaning up our air could help protect more people
As fewer people smoke, up to a quarter of lung cancers are now showing up in never-smokers—especially across East Asia and China.
The takeaway? Air pollution is a big reason why, so cleaning up our air could help protect more people from lung cancer, even if they've never touched a cigarette.