CU Medicine and APRU join forces to tackle the rising risk of tracheal cancer
The team from the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care partners with APRU to conduct a study on tracheal cancer.
A landmark collaboration between CU Medicine and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) has uncovered new insights into the environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to tracheal cancer. The study paves the way for better awareness, more effective prevention strategies, earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates for tracheal cancer patients worldwide.
Tracheal cancer is a rare but deadly disease that has been largely overlooked in global cancer research. It is often grouped with lung and bronchial cancers, leading to a lack of dedicated research and treatment options. With a five-year survival rate of less than 30%, early detection and prevention are crucial.
Collaborating across borders to explore global trends
While the overall incidence of the disease has been decreasing, researchers have identified worrying trends, particularly among women and younger individuals in certain regions. By analysing ten years of global cancer data, researchers from CU Medicine and APRU were able to link tracheal cancer to a complex mix of genetics, urban development and lifestyle factors.
Their findings, published in Molecular Cancer, revealed that Central and Eastern Europe had the highest incidence rates, with Hungary standing out as a high-risk country. At the same time, certain countries, including Ireland, Colombia, India and Malta, have seen a rise in cases among younger individuals, while Norway, Kuwait and Colombia reported increasing cases among women. China also emerged as an area of concern, with tracheal cancer rates higher than those in other East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea.
While the overall incidence of the disease has been decreasing, researchers have identified worrying trends, particularly among women and younger individuals in certain regions.
Identifying the health risks of urbanisation
The study discovered a strong association between tracheal cancer and urbanisation. As cities grow and modern lifestyles change, certain risk factors become more prevalent, including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. These habits contribute to respiratory diseases that may increase susceptibility to tracheal cancer. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid imbalances have also been linked to higher cancer risk, possibly due to their impact on the immune system and endocrine functions.
Researchers warn that as global development continues, tracheal cancer could become an even greater public health concern if these risk factors are not addressed.
Prof. Martin Wong, the senior corresponding author of the study and Professor of The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care at CU Medicine, said, ‘Despite the declining incidence of tracheal cancer as a whole, the rising incidence among younger individuals and females in certain locations has sounded an alarm to us that the health conditions of these groups should remain a focus for us. The rising tracheal cancer incidence may be related to changes in lifestyle. Hence, health education and intervention measures targeting these groups should be reinforced to prevent the incidence from escalating further in the future.’
CU Medicine researchers have recommended a multi-pronged approach to tackling tracheal cancer, including targeted education campaigns focusing on high-risk groups, the promotion of healthier lifestyles, and stronger preventive measures in high-risk regions.