University of Chicago researchers are uncovering links between pollution and cancer, revealing how air and water contaminants increase risks, especially in marginalized communities. They highlight environmental disparities in cancer outcomes by using large datasets, genetic studies, and population research. Their findings aim to inform policies, promote health equity, and develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies for pollution-related cancers.
(Image Source: The University of Chicago)
How Pollution Drives Cancer Disparities: In the heart of one of the world's busiest cities, researchers at the University of Chicago work tirelessly to unravel a deadly mystery: the intricate connections between environmental pollution and cancer. Their groundbreaking work sheds light on how the air and water we breathe can silently shape our health, especially in communities already burdened by systemic inequalities.
Cancer is a disease defined by genetic changes that disrupt the normal functions of cells, causing them to grow uncontrollably. While some genetic mutations are inherited, others are spontaneous or triggered by environmental carcinogens—harmful chemicals capable of causing cancer. Cigarette smoke, excessive sunlight, and industrial pollutants are well-known culprits. However, new research reveals how insidious pollutants in our air and water may be more pervasive and dangerous than previously understood.
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Brisa Aschebrook-Kilfoy, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at UChicago, has dedicated her career to understanding the urban exposome—a measure of every exposure a person encounters throughout their lifetime. Her work aims to dissect how these exposures contribute to health risks, particularly cancer.
Earlier this year, her team published a groundbreaking study using data from the National Institute of Health's All of Us research program, which includes over 500,000 participants from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Their findings were alarming: living in areas with high levels of airborne pollutants significantly increased the risk of several cancers, including breast, ovarian, and blood cancers.
One striking discovery was the role of race and ethnicity in cancer risk. Non-Hispanic Black and Asian individuals showed a higher likelihood of developing blood cancers, while Hispanic individuals were at greater risk for bone, breast, and endometrial cancers.
"Our hope is this work supports further consideration of the role of the environment in cancer disparities both in Chicago and nationally," said Aschebrook-Kilfoy.
Anand A. Patel, a medical oncologist at UChicago Medicine, is also delving into how environmental pollutants affect cancer outcomes. Patel's research focuses on blood cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which disproportionately affects minority populations.
A prior study by Patel's team uncovered stark disparities in AML outcomes, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients experiencing worse survival rates compared to their white counterparts. These differences were partially attributed to structural racism, but Patel suspected environmental factors also played a role.
His most recent research confirmed this suspicion. Analyzing a cohort of leukemia patients in Chicagoland, Patel found that minority groups were exposed to higher levels of air pollutants known to worsen leukemia. Substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic organic matter, common byproducts of industrial processes, were linked to more aggressive forms of the disease.
"These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to reduce pollutant exposure in vulnerable communities," Patel emphasized.
While epidemiological studies highlight correlations between pollution and cancer, researchers like Yu-Ying He and Muhammed Kibriya investigate the molecular mechanisms behind these links.
His team studies the epi transcriptome—chemical modifications to RNA that regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Using advanced cell and mouse models, they are uncovering how carcinogens like arsenic disrupt these molecular processes.
"Epitranscriptomics adds a new layer to our understanding of how environmental exposures can increase cancer risk," said He. “By identifying specific interactions between pollutants and the epi transcriptome, we may find new targets for prevention and therapy.”
Kibriya, on the other hand, has focused on the devastating impact of arsenic contamination in drinking water, particularly in Bangladesh. His recent research revealed how arsenic exposure leads to genetic mutations associated with non-melanoma skin cancer. These insights could pave the way for precision medicine approaches, where treatments are tailored to a patient's genetic and environmental profile.
Researchers are turning to large-scale population studies for deeper insights as the link between pollution and cancer becomes clearer. Enter Habibul Ahsan, the Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor of Public Health Sciences and Dean of the Institute for Population and Precision Health at UChicago.
Ahsan has spearheaded numerous studies combining environmental, nutritional, and genetic data to investigate cancer's causes and outcomes. His work extends beyond Chicago to global studies, including Bangladesh's Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS).
In 2006, Ahsan's research directly influenced U.S. policy when his findings on arsenic in drinking water prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to lower permissible levels nationwide.
"Research on a global scale offers unique advantages—large populations, high compliance, and meaningful health impacts," Ahsan explained. “This work can transform public health policy and create a more equitable future.”
The University of Chicago's research is not just academic—it has real-world implications for public health and policy. In a city like Chicago, where industrial pollution disproportionately affects minority neighborhoods, the findings are a call to action.
Community-focused initiatives, stricter environmental regulations, and public health interventions are just some ways this research can drive change. For example, improving air quality in urban neighborhoods could reduce cancer disparities and enhance overall health outcomes.
As the evidence mounts, one thing is clear: understanding and addressing the environmental roots of cancer is a public health imperative. From groundbreaking genetic research to large-scale population studies, UChicago's scientists are paving the way for a future where cancer prevention is as much about clean air and water as medical innovation.
By highlighting these invisible threats, their work not only saves lives but also underscores the importance of equity in health care and environmental policy. In a world of constant environmental change, their mission has never been more urgent.
The fight against cancer is far from over, but thanks to researchers at the University of Chicago, we are one step closer to winning the battle. Keep reading at Education Post News for more global updates.
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