Wildfire Pollution May Reduce Survival Rates in Lung Cancer Patients

Recent research from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center indicates that exposure to wildfire pollution can negatively impact the survival prospects of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer. The study examined over 18,000 California residents diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 2017 and 2020, highlighting a significant association between elevated levels of wildfire-related air pollution and increased mortality risk.

Wildfire emissions contain fine harmful particles known as PM2.5, which are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream. The study found that patients exposed to higher concentrations of PM2.5 within the year following their diagnosis faced a 20% higher risk of death from lung cancer. Advanced modeling techniques, integrating satellite data, weather forecasts, smoke dispersion models, and air quality measurements, helped estimate daily pollution levels at patients' residences.

Particularly vulnerable were patients with late-stage (Stage 4) lung cancer who had never smoked; their mortality risk surged by as much as 55% during periods of high pollution. Interestingly, patients with Stage 4 disease and a smoking history who received immunotherapy treatment showed unexpectedly better survival rates during days of intense wildfire smoke, suggesting possible interactions between wildfire smoke components and cancer therapies.

These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health strategies to protect cancer patients and other susceptible populations from wildfire-associated air pollution, especially as wildfires become more frequent and severe. Healthcare providers and policymakers should prioritize protective measures in wildfire-prone regions to improve outcomes for vulnerable groups.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-wildfire-pollution-survival-lung-cancer.html