Experts have warned that air pollution can cause prostate cancer, and men living in densely populated urban areas or near major highways may face higher risks.
According to media reports, experts said that people exposed to air pollution have a higher likelihood of developing prostate cancer, and in the UK, around 12,000 men die every year due to this cause.
After analyzing data from 220,000 men in the UK, researchers concluded that individuals exposed to higher levels of pollution had a 6.9 percent higher risk of prostate cancer compared to those exposed to lower levels of pollution.
Researchers stated that the main culprit is nitrate (NO3), which is emitted from vehicle exhaust. It contains nitrogen and can promote the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Scientists also examined the effects of five major components of PM2.5 identified in previous research, including NO3. For this purpose, data from 224,000 men with an average age of 58 years were analyzed, who were followed for an average of 13.7 years.
Researchers reported that 5 percent of these individuals were diagnosed with the disease. Based on their postcodes, it was calculated how much pollution they were exposed to, and the results showed that pollution is associated with a slight increase in disease risk, with NO being identified as the most influential component.
