Women Cancer Risks & Environmental Air Pollution

Health Effects

Millions of Americans live in areas where air pollutants may pose serious health concerns. Women who smoke and those exposed to high enough levels of certain air pollutants may experience cancer.

Who is most at risk?

Air pollution is a problem for all of us. However, some groups of women are especially sensitive to common air pollutants. Our studies have found women most at risk for breast cancer and lung cancer are sensitive to the concentration of air toxics in the air.

Breast cancer Air toxics, alcohol and household income all contribute to female lung cancer. Our study finds air toxics explain 7-10%, household median income 13%, and alcohol explained 10-13% of the breast cancer incidences by state across the United States. The 10-13% alcohol contribution compares with a 5% alcohol contribution to breast cancer incidences reported in a recent epidemiological study.

Lung cancer Female smokers and non-smokers represent 80% and 20% of female lung cancer incidences in the United States. Our study shows lung cancer incidences in female non-smoker comes principally (75%) from air toxics concentrations in the atmosphere.

If you are sensitive to cancer, you need to be aware of these facts and take steps to protect your health. For more information on the health effects of common air toxics, write us at RyanPatrick@stanleygroup.com for our cancer fact studies.

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