Report: One in 10 cancer cases linked to external factors such as pollution
June 28, 2022, 4:56 pm

Report: One in 10 cancer cases linked to external factors such as pollution

Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA - Pic. Pixabay

A report by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) has found, about one in 10 cases of cancer in Europe can be attributed to external factors such as pollution.

The report published online on Tuesday reads: "Exposure to air pollution, carcinogenic chemicals, radon, UV radiation and second-hand smoke together may contribute over 10% of the cancer burden in Europe.”

Smoking, alcohol consumption or dietary habits were not included in the analysis by the Copenhagen-based agency of the European Union.

According to the EEA, all environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by tackling pollution and changing behaviour.

About one in 10 cases of cancer in Europe can be attributed to external factors such as pollution-Pic. Pixabay

This would subsequently lead to a decrease in cancer cases and deaths.

The report concludes: "Environmental and occupational cancer risks are inherently preventable, and reducing them is key to reducing the burden of cancer in Europe.”

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With almost 2.7 million new diagnoses and 1.3 million deaths per year, the European Union is more affected by cancer than other world regions, according to EEA figures.

The report reads: "Although Europe represents less than 10% of the world's population, it reports almost 23% of new cancer cases and 20% of the cancer deaths worldwide.”

The report calls for regulations and adequate funding to prevent exposure and reduce pollution, noting that it could take years for the reduction in risks to translate into fewer cancer cases.

Source: anews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”