Dr. Michael Wysota from Montefiore Medical Center presented an abstract at ASH 2023 that discussed how fine particulate matter (usually found in outdoor air pollution) may contribute to worse outcomes in multiple myeloma.
Fine particulate matter (FPM), made up of small particles, is an element of outdoor air pollution (OAP). It is considered one of the most dangerous elements of outdoor air pollution. The danger comes from its small size, which allows it to penetrate deeply into the lung tissues. This can cause cells to mutate within the body, resulting in various malignancies.
OAP is typically generated by motor vehicles, burning fossil fuels, and industrial waste.
Dr. Michael Wysota and his colleagues conducted a retrospective study investigating exposure patterns to OAP in myeloma patients. They were inspired by studies showing evidence that environmental exposures (such as 9/11) increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma (Landgren O JAMA Oncol 2015, 2018).
The researchers investigated their own Montefiore Health System community in the Bronx, New York.
After gathering information from the Montefiore Electronic Data Warehouse from 1997-2018, they created a cohort of approximately 1,600 patients. Out of the 1600 patients, 1525 of them had multiple myeloma as their first cancer diagnosis.
This patient cohort was highly diverse:
This group was tracked over 8-9 years. The area had higher-than-average exposure to outdoor air pollution and fine particle matter. Researchers discovered the more exposure to outdoor air pollutants, the worse the survival rate from multiple myeloma.
For every year that a patient was exposed to particulate matter, their survival decreased by approximately 7%.
While pollution exposure does not necessarily tell the entire story of a patient’s multiple myeloma, it is one factor that should be examined in the patient’s overall health journey.
34,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year. Black and Hispanic patients have a higher risk of multiple myeloma when compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Unfortunately, the worst air pollution is usually found in densely populated urban areas. In a recent study, Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Large Urban Areas, the racial and ethnic diversity of 56 of the largest urban areas was shown to have increased dramatically from 1980 to 2020. Urban areas with the highest levels of diversity had much less than 50% of the population White, with varying mixes of Blacks, Latinos, and Asians.
This shows us that people of color are disproportionately exposed to outdoor air pollution and fine particle matter due to their population density in urban areas.
It's unrealistic to ask multiple myeloma patients living in urban areas to move to avoid their exposure to outdoor air pollution.
What else can be done, then, in order to reduce the risk of outdoor air pollution? The American Lung Association shares some helpful tips:
Knowing that the air quality around you can impact your health can feel overwhelming. However, studies like this are important if we want to show concrete proof that something must be done about our air quality. Do your part to make our environment's air clean, and if it becomes a large concern, talk to your doctor about possible solutions.
Curious about other similar investigations presented at medical conferences such as ASCO or ASH? Create a free HealthTree account and view our interviews with international experts explaining the latest research findings and therapeutic advances here: News from Cancer Conferences - HealthTree Univesity for Multiple Myeloma.
Sources:
Dr. Michael Wysota from Montefiore Medical Center presented an abstract at ASH 2023 that discussed how fine particulate matter (usually found in outdoor air pollution) may contribute to worse outcomes in multiple myeloma.
Fine particulate matter (FPM), made up of small particles, is an element of outdoor air pollution (OAP). It is considered one of the most dangerous elements of outdoor air pollution. The danger comes from its small size, which allows it to penetrate deeply into the lung tissues. This can cause cells to mutate within the body, resulting in various malignancies.
OAP is typically generated by motor vehicles, burning fossil fuels, and industrial waste.
Dr. Michael Wysota and his colleagues conducted a retrospective study investigating exposure patterns to OAP in myeloma patients. They were inspired by studies showing evidence that environmental exposures (such as 9/11) increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma (Landgren O JAMA Oncol 2015, 2018).
The researchers investigated their own Montefiore Health System community in the Bronx, New York.
After gathering information from the Montefiore Electronic Data Warehouse from 1997-2018, they created a cohort of approximately 1,600 patients. Out of the 1600 patients, 1525 of them had multiple myeloma as their first cancer diagnosis.
This patient cohort was highly diverse:
This group was tracked over 8-9 years. The area had higher-than-average exposure to outdoor air pollution and fine particle matter. Researchers discovered the more exposure to outdoor air pollutants, the worse the survival rate from multiple myeloma.
For every year that a patient was exposed to particulate matter, their survival decreased by approximately 7%.
While pollution exposure does not necessarily tell the entire story of a patient’s multiple myeloma, it is one factor that should be examined in the patient’s overall health journey.
34,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year. Black and Hispanic patients have a higher risk of multiple myeloma when compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Unfortunately, the worst air pollution is usually found in densely populated urban areas. In a recent study, Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Large Urban Areas, the racial and ethnic diversity of 56 of the largest urban areas was shown to have increased dramatically from 1980 to 2020. Urban areas with the highest levels of diversity had much less than 50% of the population White, with varying mixes of Blacks, Latinos, and Asians.
This shows us that people of color are disproportionately exposed to outdoor air pollution and fine particle matter due to their population density in urban areas.
It's unrealistic to ask multiple myeloma patients living in urban areas to move to avoid their exposure to outdoor air pollution.
What else can be done, then, in order to reduce the risk of outdoor air pollution? The American Lung Association shares some helpful tips:
Knowing that the air quality around you can impact your health can feel overwhelming. However, studies like this are important if we want to show concrete proof that something must be done about our air quality. Do your part to make our environment's air clean, and if it becomes a large concern, talk to your doctor about possible solutions.
Curious about other similar investigations presented at medical conferences such as ASCO or ASH? Create a free HealthTree account and view our interviews with international experts explaining the latest research findings and therapeutic advances here: News from Cancer Conferences - HealthTree Univesity for Multiple Myeloma.
Sources:
about the author
Lisa Foster
Lisa Foster is a mom of 3 daughters, a puzzle lover, writer and HealthTree advocate. She believes in the mission of the foundation and the team that builds it forward. She calls Houston, Texas home.
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