Oral cancer risk increases, suspected of air pollution

In some regions, the incidence of oral cancer has increased. A recent study reveals a new risk factor that can help explain these increases.

In some parts of the world, oral cancer rates have increased over the past two decades. In the United Kingdom, for example, oral cancer rates have increased by 68 percent. They increased from eight cases for 100,000 to 1992-1995 in 13 cases for 100,000 in 2012-2014.

In the United States, oral cancer and mortality have declined in general. However, when examined at the state level, data shows a more complex image.

Some known risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, drinking alcohol, human papyrus (HPV).

In India, oral cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men aged 30-69. Scientists believe that the chewing betel may be responsible for many of these deaths.

While scientists have confirmed some risk factors, there is still much to learn about how and why oral cancer affects individuals and not others. Recently, scientists decided to investigate another potential risk factor - air pollution.

Researchers, financed by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan, published their findings this week at the Journal of Medical Investigative.

In particular, the team focused on the impact of tiny particles, also known as PM2.5. These are liquid particles, or solids, that measure 2.5 micrometers in diameter or below.

Scientists already knew that PM2.5 has a negative impact on cardiovascular and respiratory health, but they wanted to find out if exposure to the highest levels of PM2.5 could increase the risk of oral cancer.

To investigate, they collected information from 482,659 males aged 40 and older.

Scientists then collected data from 66 air quality monitoring stations across Taiwan. By referring to the participants ' health records, scientists can evaluate each person's exposure to the PM2.5.

After considering a number of contributing factors, scientists indicated that exposure to PM2.5 also increased the risk of oral cancer.