Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

> Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

It’s known that smoking and second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer. But what about the haze that clouds the Singapore skies from time to time?

How does it affect our health and will it lead to lung cancer?

How does the haze affect our health?

Continuous short-term exposure to high levels of haze particles over a period of a few days may cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat in healthy individuals.

Haze particles can also affect hearts and lungs, especially in people who already have chronic heart or lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure. (source)

Is haze hazardous to health?

Particulate matter (PM) present in haze might be most strongly linked to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide.

As the respiratory tract is the main passageway for haze to enter our body, the lung is the primary affected organ.

Potential adverse effects of haze exposure on the respiratory system could be acute or chronic.

Reviews have shown that long-term exposure to haze is associated with daily respiratory disease exacerbations and increased daily mortality of respiratory disease such as asthma.

Several cohort studies have shown that lung cancer is a serious long-term effect of haze exposure and suggested a strong association mostly in never-smokers and non-smokers (source).

While acute health effects such as breathing difficulties as well as ear, nose, throat and eye irritation in the short term are known, frequent and extended exposure could result in more severe and even potentially deadly complications and diseases, including cancer and heart attacks (source).

Long-term epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that exposure to haze has been linked to increased mortality, including lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality (source). It also showed a correlation between the relative risk of lung cancer and increase in PM_2.5 concentrations.

The association was stronger in those with a history of asthma, a normal body mass index (BMI) or any chronic lung disease. Taken together, these results from epidemiological studies conducted in North America or Europe clearly showed positive associations between haze and lung cancer mortality.

What precautions can I take?

During the hazy period, try to stay indoors as much as possible (source). It is usually safe to carry on with outdoor activities, but do drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated and to help your kidneys flush out any toxins absorbed through your skin and lungs.

Use an air ioniser or air purifier to catch very small particles and turn on the air-conditioner at home to remove pollutants. People with existing chronic heart and lung conditions should ensure that medications are on hand and readily available. Build up immunity with foods rich in vitamin C (oranges, strawberries), vitamin E (nuts and seeds) and omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish).

Similar to the medical staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in US, we specialize in techniques and therapies than can help preserve lung function and quality of life. We are always here to provide patients a personalized healthcare experience and professional medical care service.

For more information on lung cancer treatments and details on the types of lung cancer, please contact us at +65 6933 3722 or email us at iplc@concordmedical.com.

Online Enquiry WhatsApp Enquiry

Share with your friend on:

> Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

It’s known that smoking and second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer. But what about the haze that clouds the Singapore skies from time to time?

How does it affect our health and will it lead to lung cancer?

How does the haze affect our health?

Continuous short-term exposure to high levels of haze particles over a period of a few days may cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat in healthy individuals.

Haze particles can also affect hearts and lungs, especially in people who already have chronic heart or lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure. (source)

Is haze hazardous to health?

Particulate matter (PM) present in haze might be most strongly linked to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide.

As the respiratory tract is the main passageway for haze to enter our body, the lung is the primary affected organ.

Potential adverse effects of haze exposure on the respiratory system could be acute or chronic.

Reviews have shown that long-term exposure to haze is associated with daily respiratory disease exacerbations and increased daily mortality of respiratory disease such as asthma.

Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

Several cohort studies have shown that lung cancer is a serious long-term effect of haze exposure and suggested a strong association mostly in never-smokers and non-smokers (source).

While acute health effects such as breathing difficulties as well as ear, nose, throat and eye irritation in the short term are known, frequent and extended exposure could result in more severe and even potentially deadly complications and diseases, including cancer and heart attacks (source).

Long-term epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that exposure to haze has been linked to increased mortality, including lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality (source). It also showed a correlation between the relative risk of lung cancer and increase in PM_2.5 concentrations.

The association was stronger in those with a history of asthma, a normal body mass index (BMI) or any chronic lung disease. Taken together, these results from epidemiological studies conducted in North America or Europe clearly showed positive associations between haze and lung cancer mortality.

What precautions can I take?

During the hazy period, try to stay indoors as much as possible (source). It is usually safe to carry on with outdoor activities, but do drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated and to help your kidneys flush out any toxins absorbed through your skin and lungs.

Similar to the medical staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in US, we specialize in techniques and therapies than can help preserve lung function and quality of life. We are always here to provide patients a personalized healthcare experience and professional medical care service.

For more information on lung cancer treatments and details on the types of lung cancer, please contact us at +65 6933 3722 or email us at iplc@concordmedical.com.

Contact Us

> Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

It’s known that smoking and second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer. But what about the haze that clouds the Singapore skies from time to time?

How does it affect our health and will it lead to lung cancer?

How does the haze affect our health?

Continuous short-term exposure to high levels of haze particles over a period of a few days may cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat in healthy individuals.

Haze particles can also affect hearts and lungs, especially in people who already have chronic heart or lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure. (source)

Is haze hazardous to health?

Particulate matter (PM) present in haze might be most strongly linked to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide.

As the respiratory tract is the main passageway for haze to enter our body, the lung is the primary affected organ.

Potential adverse effects of haze exposure on the respiratory system could be acute or chronic.

Reviews have shown that long-term exposure to haze is associated with daily respiratory disease exacerbations and increased daily mortality of respiratory disease such as asthma.

Does haze contribute to lung cancer?

Several cohort studies have shown that lung cancer is a serious long-term effect of haze exposure and suggested a strong association mostly in never-smokers and non-smokers (source).

While acute health effects such as breathing difficulties as well as ear, nose, throat and eye irritation in the short term are known, frequent and extended exposure could result in more severe and even potentially deadly complications and diseases, including cancer and heart attacks (source).

Long-term epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that exposure to haze has been linked to increased mortality, including lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality (source). It also showed a correlation between the relative risk of lung cancer and increase in PM2.5 concentrations.

The association was stronger in those with a history of asthma, a normal body mass index (BMI) or any chronic lung disease. Taken together, these results from epidemiological studies conducted in North America or Europe clearly showed positive associations between haze and lung cancer mortality.

What precautions can I take?

During the hazy period, try to stay indoors as much as possible (source). It is usually safe to carry on with outdoor activities, but do drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated and to help your kidneys flush out any toxins absorbed through your skin and lungs.

Similar to the medical staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in US, we specialize in techniques and therapies than can help preserve lung function and quality of life. We are always here to provide patients a personalized healthcare experience and professional medical care service.

For more information on lung cancer treatments and details on the types of lung cancer, please contact us at +65 6933 3722 or email us at iplc@concordmedical.com.

Long-term epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that exposure to haze has been linked to increased mortality, including lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality (source). It also showed a correlation between the relative risk of lung cancer and increase in PM_2.5 concentrations.