14. The Environmental Enigma: Air Pollution and NPC
Believe it or not, the air you breathe might be playing a role in NPC. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, can be linked to a higher incidence of NPC.
Air pollution, the invisible enemy, can penetrate deeply into the respiratory system, causing inflammation that may eventually lead to cellular changes in the nasopharynx. This isn’t just theoretical; animal studies have shown how pollutants can trigger the expression of cancer-promoting genes.
However, the relationship isn’t straightforward. It’s not like smoking a cigarette, where the risk clearly rises with each puff. The risk here is more insidious because air pollution is ubiquitous, and its effects are gradual and cumulative over years.
So next time you think about air quality, remember it’s not just about avoiding the annoyance of allergies or asthma; it may also be a factor in something as severe as NPC. (14)
