Risk of prostate cancer associated with long-term air pollution exposure: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

Prostate cancer is a critical health issue, particularly in developed countries. Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term exposure to seven specific air pollutants on prostate cancer risk in Taiwanese men and establish dose-response relationships to guide prevention strategies.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of 425,916 men from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2013). Seven pollutants (SO₂, CO, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO_x, NO, and NO₂) were assessed and Cox regression models were adjusted for confounders. Prostate cancer incidence was the primary outcome, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Increased exposure to air pollutants was associated with a 39-106% higher risk of prostate cancer per 1 standard deviation increase in pollutant levels. However, potential misclassification of exposure is a key limitation.

In over 400,000 Taiwanese men, higher levels of several air pollutants were associated with a greater likelihood of developing prostate cancer. These findings suggest that air pollution may be an important environmental factor in prostate cancer etiology. Further research is needed to confirm these associations before informing clinical practice or public health policy.