The Need for Action: The Risks of Cancer
Environmental pollution has been identified as a growing contributor to cancer incidence in Libya, emphasizing the need for effective mitigation strategies.
Key Health Impacts
- Air Pollution and Cancer Risk: Libya’s annual mean PM2.5 concentration is six times higher than the World Health Organization’s guideline value, contributing significantly to cancer risks such as lung, colorectal, and breast cancer.
- Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Studies show higher cancer rates in Libya, with limited healthcare infrastructure leading to low survival rates. For example, lung cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 2.3%, while breast cancer is at 56%.
- Environmental Pollution as a Growing Cancer Risk: Improper waste management and extensive use of industrial chemicals increase exposure to carcinogens.
Published Studies
- Health and Environment Scorecard Libya” – World Health Organization, 2023.
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/environmental-health/environmental-health-lby-2023.pdf - Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Libya” – GLOBOCAN 2020 Estimates.
https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/434-libya-fact-sheets.pdf - Environmental Pollution and Its Role in Cancer Development in Developing Countries” – MDPI.
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3264
