A naukri.com initiative
Bioengineer
1d
325
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Rising Global Temperatures May Increase Cancer Risk in Women, New Research Suggests
- A new study has revealed a concerning correlation between rising global temperatures and an increase in breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer cases among women in the Middle East and North Africa region.
- The research, published in Frontiers in Public Health, highlights a significant rise in cancer incidence and mortality rates alongside escalating ambient temperatures observed from 1998 to 2019.
- Elevated temperatures may exacerbate carcinogenesis through various mechanisms, including increased exposure to environmental carcinogens and disruptions to cellular homeostasis that promote oncogenic mutations.
- The study identified a troubling trend where ovarian cancer cases surged by up to 280 per 100,000 individuals for every one-degree Celsius increase in temperature, with mortality rates following a similar trajectory.
- Certain countries in the MENA region, such as Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, experienced harsh temperature spikes leading to a disproportionate burden of rising cancer cases, particularly in breast cancer.
- Women's heightened physiological sensitivity to climate changes and limited healthcare access exacerbate the risks, resulting in challenges for early cancer detection and treatment access, particularly among marginalized populations.
- The study suggests that climate change-induced factors like food and water insecurity and increased air pollution containing carcinogens contribute to cancer susceptibility and progression.
- Addressing the indirect pathways of cancer incidence and strengthening climate-resilient health infrastructure are crucial responses highlighted by the research to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures on cancer risk in women.
- The study underscores the need for integrated public health strategies that encompass environmental, social, and healthcare system components to tackle the growing health implications of climate change on cancer.
- Urgent action is required at both scientific and policy levels to counter the intersectionality of climate vulnerability and gender-based health disparities to prevent the looming public health crisis posed by the rising cancer burden linked to global warming.
Read Full Article
19 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app