Trends in particulate matter levels and lung cancer incidence rate in phrae province, Northern Thailand: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is a common cancer and a leading cause of death, especially in Phrae Province, where the incidence has been increasing annually. Key risk factors include smoking and air pollution from PM10 and PM2.5 dust levels exceeding standards.
Objective: To describe the levels of PM each year and the incidence rate of lung cancer over the past 10 years in Phrae Province.
Study design: This is a descriptive research study analyzing data from Phrae Hospital from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023. The collected data includes age, gender, smoking history, and lung cancer diagnosis. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to analyze differences in lung cancer incidence rates, with results presented as Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals.
Results: The incidence of lung cancer increased over the past 10 years, peaking in 2019 at 35.09 per 100,000 population. Males experienced a higher increase than females. Smoking history showed that 95% of males and 98% of females diagnosed with lung cancer had smoked. PM2.5 levels increased in line with lung cancer incidence, but the number of lung cancer cases rose each month regardless of PM peaks.
Conclusion: The incidence of lung cancer in Phrae Province has increased over the past decade, with higher rates in males and the 55-75 age group. PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the area have consistently exceeded standards. Although there is a similar trend between PM levels and lung cancer incidence, this study is descriptive and cannot definitively conclude a cause-and-effect relationship.
Keywords: Lung cancer incidence, PM10, PM2.5, air pollution
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