Tue Jun 03 05:55:10 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article, fitting the “The Hindu” format:

**Summary:**

A California study presented at a medical conference in Chicago has found a link between exposure to wildfire smoke and increased mortality rates for lung cancer patients, particularly non-smokers. The study tracked over 18,000 non-small cell lung cancer patients between 2017 and 2020 and found that those exposed to higher levels of wildfire smoke had a 20% increased risk of dying from the disease. The risk was significantly higher for non-smokers with advanced stage 4 cancer. Interestingly, immunotherapy treatments seemed to mitigate the effect of wildfire smoke on survival for smokers. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted health strategies to protect cancer patients as wildfires become more frequent and intense.

**News Article:**

**Wildfire Smoke Exposure Linked to Increased Lung Cancer Mortality, Especially Among Non-Smokers: Study**

*By The Hindu Staff Writer*

**Chicago, June 3, 2025:** Exposure to wildfire smoke may significantly increase the risk of death for lung cancer patients, particularly those who have never smoked, according to research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago on Saturday. The large-scale California study raises concerns about the growing health threat posed by increasingly frequent and intense wildfires in the region and beyond.

Researchers from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center tracked over 18,000 individuals diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 2017 and 2020. The study revealed that patients residing in areas with the highest levels of wildfire-induced air pollution in the year following their diagnosis faced a higher likelihood of succumbing to the disease.

The study found a 20% increased risk of death from lung cancer for patients exposed to higher levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) found in wildfire smoke, which can deeply penetrate the lungs. The impact was most pronounced among non-smokers with advanced stage 4 cancer, whose risk of death increased by a concerning 55% when exposed to high levels of wildfire smoke.

The researchers utilized advanced modeling techniques, incorporating data from satellites, weather patterns, smoke forecasts, and air quality monitors, to precisely estimate daily air quality conditions at patients’ home addresses.

However, the study also uncovered an intriguing finding: immunotherapy treatment appeared to lessen the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on survival rates for smokers with Stage 4 lung cancer. “This surprising trend suggests that smoke-related changes in the body may interact with certain treatments,” stated Dr. Surbhi Singhal, the study leader, emphasizing the need for further research into this phenomenon.

Wildfire smoke is known to be more toxic than typical air pollution, containing a complex mixture of soil particles, biological matter, and potentially hazardous chemicals, metals, and synthetic materials.

“As wildfires become more frequent and intense in California and other parts of the U.S., we need targeted health strategies to protect cancer patients and others with serious health problems,” Dr. Singhal emphasized. The study highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations.

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