Study Shows Strange Relationship Between Weather And Increased Cancer Rates

• Cancer is a growing problem that affects many countries today
• A new study revealed that there is a higher incidence of cancer cases in cold and wet regions
• Health experts put forth their hypotheses on why this is so

Strange as it may sound, a new study revealed that there is a connection between weather and increased cancer rates. According to the study, there is an association between living in wet or cold regions and increased cancer prevalence.

One of the studies that linked weather and cancer was the one concerning the rise of skin cancers. Before, it was established that prolonged exposure to the sun puts a person at higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Now, the study has something to do with the weather. The study pinpointed at a cooler climate and precipitation as two factors that affect the rates of cancer. More particularly, the study was able to identify which regions in the U.S. have higher cancer rates. It also revealed that the number is higher in the East coast.

According to the study, which appeared in the Environmental Engineering Science journal, it outlined how precipitation and climate zone affect cancer risk. They didn’t say that rain or precipitation causes cancer risk, what they were trying to say was that the effects of rainfall, are the ones responsible for such an increased risk.

As found in Medical News Today, what the scientists did was to collate data on ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. They analyzed 15 states and used control factors like gender, age, income level, ethnicity, population and age.

According to the result of the researchers’ analysis, increased precipitation also increased cancer incidence. They also looked into the types of cancer present per location. They found out that lung cancer was more prevalent in hot zones.

The authors also presented several theories concerning the increased cancer rate in wet areas. For one, it highlighted how rainfall leaches alkaline elements from the soil, resulting in more acidic soil.

Another thing that researchers revealed was that in cold regions, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria are common. The bacteria would convert ammonia to nitrites. When nitrates are found in more acidic areas, it can be converted to nitrous acid, and it will then be released into the atmosphere. The downside is that many health experts consider nitrous acid as a carcinogen.

These are some of the theories raised by researchers concerning the possible relationship between weather and increased cancer rates. These are still theories and further studies must be conducted to make it more conclusive.