Higher Altitudes May Decrease Lung Cancer Rates

Though lung cancer is typically linked to smoking and other environmental factors, new findings published in the journal PeerJ show that atmospheric oxygen can have a significant role in lung carcinogenesis.

Oxygen is responsible for about 21 percent of the overall atmosphere, yet lower pressures at higher elevations can result in less inhaled oxygen. When oxygen is quickly consumed by our cells, it can result in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause cell damage and even mutation.

"Were the entire United States situated at the elevation of San Juan County, CO (3473 meters), we estimate 65,496 fewer new lung cancer cases would arise per year," the researchers noted, in a news release.

For the study, they compared cancer incidence across regions of varying elevation in the Western U.S. 

Findings showed that elevation oftentimes increased the risk of lung cancer, which tended to significantly decrease. Furthermore, researchers observed a decrease of 7.23 cases per 100,000 individuals for every 3,281 feet rise in elevation. However, researchers did not find a correlation between sun exposure and non-respiratory cancer, including breasts, colon and prostate. Other factors, including sun exposure and fine particulate matter were also found to carry small predictions of lung cancer risk when compared with altitude.

The findings are similar to previous studies that examine oxygen variation and lower cancer mortality rates at higher elevations.

"[If] the entire United States situated at the elevation of San Juan County, CO (3473 m), we estimate 65,496 fewer new lung cancer cases would arise per year," researchers noted, via a news release.

In the future, they hope to learn more about the causes of lung cancer around the country. Furthermore, these study results do not mean that people should move to higher altitudes in order to reduce risk of certain related health issues.

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