Organizations Join Forces to Fund Research on Air Pollution's Impact on Lung Cancer

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health -- International (OUCH-I) are partnering to fund projects that examine the impact of environmental pollution and climate change on lung cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. The program, titled OUCH-International and LCRF Research Grant Program on the Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change on Carcinogenesis and Lung Cancer Prevalence, is sponsored by AstraZeneca. A $200,000 award over a two-year period will be granted, and the Request for Proposals will open early in 2026.

The collaboration aims to understand the impact of air pollution on lung cancer, which is estimated to be the second-most important cause of lung cancer mortality globally. Increasing evidence indicates that air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer, with the number of estimated lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution having increased by nearly 30% since 2007. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns as a cause of lung cancer.

Key Takeaways:

• The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution has increased by nearly 30% since 2007.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns as a cause of lung cancer.
• Exposure to pollution, whether from industrial sources or wildfires, increases the risk of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers.
• Globally, outdoor (ambient) air pollution is regarded as the second most important cause of lung cancer mortality, and indoor air pollution is considered the seventh most important cause.
• The Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health have partnered to fund $200,000 in research grants over two years to examine the impact of environmental pollution and climate change on lung cancer.
• The Request for Proposals for the research grants will open early in 2026.

Statistics:

• The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution has increased by 30% since 2007 (Turner MC et al, CA Cancer J Clin, 2020).
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns as a cause of lung cancer (Straif K et al, IARC Press, 2013; Loomis D et al, Lancet Oncol, 2013; GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020).
• Exposure to pollution increases the risk of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers (Hill et al, Nature, 2023).
• Globally, outdoor (ambient) air pollution is regarded as the second most important cause of lung cancer mortality, and indoor air pollution is considered the seventh most important cause (GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020).
• The Lung Cancer Research Foundation has funded 431 research grants, totaling nearly $49 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research (Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 2025).

Sources:

• Turner MC et al, CA Cancer J Clin, 2020
• Straif K et al, IARC Press, 2013
• Loomis D et al, Lancet Oncol, 2013
• GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020
• Hill et al, Nature, 2023
• Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 2025