The PM2.5 concentration reduction improves survival rate of lung cancer in Beijing

Introduction: Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to increases in the inci-dence of lung cancer. However, more evidence is needed to conclude its effects on lung cancer survival. Objectives: The study aimed to explore the relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and lung cancer survival and evaluated the benefits of clean air actions in Beijing. Methods: A whole-population cohort study was conducted on lung cancer patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2017. An atmospheric chemical transport model was used to estimate exposure under a counterfactual scenario without the policy and then quantified the effect of the policy. Cox regression models were used with the seasonality-adjusted PM2.5 as the main effect. Results: A 10 mu g/m3 increase in PM2.5 was estimated to be with a 6.5 % (95 % CI: 4.8 %, 8.2 %) increase in the mortality rates. The association was heterogeneous and modified by individual-level characteristics. The clean air actions were estimated to have prevented 3548 (95 % CI: 3280, 3825) premature deaths and to have prolonged survival time by 4.29 months (95 % CI: 0.01, 25.11). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure lowers the survival rate for lung cancer. The clean air actions implemented in Beijing can protect lung cancer patients by increasing their survival time. Synopsis: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can lower lung patients' survival rates whereas the clean air actions in Beijing have prolonged these patients' survival time by reducing PM2.5 level.

Automated summary

Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with an increased incidence of lung cancer, and this study found that it also decreases the survival rate for lung cancer patients. However, the implementation of clean air actions in Beijing has been shown to prolong the survival time of these patients by reducing PM2.5 levels.