Cancer, as it relates to pollution

an article by our site

Nearly a third of the cancer deaths in the pie charts above were from lung cancer. In 2009:

• 205,974 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, including 110,190 men and 95,784 women.
  
• 158,081 people in the United States died from lung cancer, including 87,694 men and 70,387 women.

(source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2009 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2013)

More yearly deaths are caused by tobacco use than by all deaths from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined

From 2000 to 2009 in the United States, deaths from lung cancer have decreased significantly by 2.3% per year among men and decreased significantly by 0.7% per year among women, but cancer rates have been going up for those over 85 years old for the entire period 1950 to 2010.

Cigarette smoking accounts for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the U.S.

• The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States.
  
• More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.
  
• Smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.
  
• An estimated 90% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease are caused by smoking.
  (Source: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking, CDC)

“Studies in the United States, Europe, and Asia have suggested that air pollution from traffic and the combustion of coal, diesel fuel, and wood, has a modest association with lung cancer risk. In a 2009 U.S. study, it was estimated that 5% of male lung cancers and 3% of lung cancers in women between 1970 and 1994 were related to air pollution. One study looking at urban air pollution in Europe suggests that the risk may be higher, with up to 10.7% of lung cancer cases considered related to exposure to air pollution.” (Source: Does Air Pollution Cause Lung Cancer?)

Up to 10.7% of lung cancer cases are considered related to exposure to air pollution

Scientists believe that environmental factors are behind much lung disease, especially toxic wastes and the continued poor air quality in U.S. cities. The residents of Altgeld Gardens in Chicago are surrounded by landfills, a chemical waste incinerator, and piles of loose trash. These living conditions have affected the health of the community. In 1984, a study by Illinois Public Health Sector revealed excessive rates of prostate, bladder, and lung cancer. (Source: Environmental racism)

Being near landfills, chemical waste incinerators, or trashpiles can be hazardous to your health