Researchers have found a link between air pollution and breast cancer. Here’s what we can do about it.

In October, communities all over the world turn pink in recognition of one of the world’s most prevalent and devastating diseases: breast cancer.

The statistics are striking: I, Though less affected, men are also impacted, with 25,100 diagnoses in 2019.

There’s no one cause of breast cancer; it’s a combination of our genetics, our environment and our lifestyles. But a lesser-known risk factor has emerged in the last few years: air quality. Studies from around the world show that certain air pollutants are linked to higher incidences of breast cancer.

Technological progress and industrialization have lifted families out of poverty, connected communities across geographic barriers and raised standards of living. They have also brought unforeseen challenges, pollution chief among them. This Pink October, we look at the problem of air pollution and breast cancer and – most importantly – what we can do about it.

Understanding breast cancer risk from air pollution

In terms of breast cancer risk factors, researchers highlighted PM2.5 air pollutants, which are small enough to be inhaled or absorbed into the bloodstream, as the most concerning. And they can come from the same sources that power cities’ development: traffic, agricultural activities and heating sources.

As temperatures rise due to climate change, more people are retreating to air-conditioned rooms, and researchers have highlighted that trapping air inside traps pollutants along with it. More extreme weather events spurred by climate change are exacerbating the problem, detailed in a report this year from the World Meteorological Society, where Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett said, “Climate change and air quality go hand-in-hand and must be tackled together.”

So, what can we do to protect ourselves from the risk of air pollution today and work towards a healthier future?

Minimizing risk in the short term 

Running air conditioners on recirculate, investing in HEPA air purifiers, regularly cleaning surfaces to minimize dust, and ventilating our homes are practices everyone can act on immediately to reduce their risk of inhaling pollutants. On days when air quality is particularly poor, stay inside and close windows and doors. Experts advise that using well-fitting masks can reduce exposure outdoors.

But these are short term strategies for a long-term threat. How can we build a world where we can breathe the air freely and reduce the rates of breast cancer overall?

The future of our climate is the future of our health 

The link between poor air quality and cancer risk is just one symptom of a much broader, more profound challenge: when our environment suffers, our health suffers, too. Cancer researchers, as well as international organizations like the World Bank and the UN, have publicly urged us to be mindful of our environmental impact, limit emissions and shift to more sustainable practices, for the sake of public health as well as the planet.

Systemic sustainable change calls for both individual and collective action. As everyday citizens, we can support sustainable business practices and shift to sustainable consumption, using e-vehicles instead of petrol-based cars or reducing unnecessary air travel, for example, or simply supporting sustainable businesses. These are all powerful ways to advocate for reduced emissions and pollutants.

Our environment affects our health more profoundly than we know. This Pink October gives us a golden opportunity to raise awareness of ways we can better our health through protecting our environment. To fight cancer, we must fight for our planet. Through regulation, through education, through awareness and through consistent effort, we can create a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.