Fine particulate matter may increase mortality among young patients with certain cancers

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/aafc-fpm051120.php

News Release 13-May-2020
American Association for Cancer Research


An analysis of nearly 16,000 young patients with cancer in Utah revealed that exposure to fine particulate matter was associated with increased mortality at five and 10 years after diagnosis of certain cancers.

•••••

Among pediatric patients, exposure to fine particulate matter was associated with an increased risk of death for the following specific cancers:

Lymphomas had increased cancer mortality and all-cause mortality at both time points, when exposure was measured continuously;
Central nervous system and intracranial/spinal neoplasms had increased cancer mortality and all-cause mortality at both time points, when exposure was measured continuously;
Lymphoid leukemias had increased all-cause mortality at five years post diagnosis, when exposure was measured both continuously and categorically;
Hepatic tumors had increased all-cause mortality at 10 years post diagnosis, when exposure was measured continuously.

•••••

"Exposure to air pollution is preventable to a degree on an individual level, but the responsibility ultimately lies with government policy to protect the public from this major health hazard," said Ou. "We need patients and their caregivers to become informed advocates to support enforcing air quality policies at the local, state, and federal levels."