A recent study conducted by the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) has highlighted a staggering 20-fold increase in lung cancer cases in São Luís over the past two decades, with 2023 marking the peak year of recorded hospitalizations and deaths. The research analyzed a total of 2,251 hospitalizations and 696 lung cancer-related deaths between 2000 and 2024, demonstrating a concerning trend in public health within the city. The Vila Embratel area was identified as the most affected, with the highest death toll, alongside significant occurrences in Centro and Turu.

The study, carried out by UFMA’s Environmental Studies and Research Center as part of their Geography course, indicates that men are more adversely affected than women, accounting for approximately 54% of cases. This disparity could be attributed to various factors, including a tendency among men to seek health services later compared to women. In 2023 alone, the study recorded 181 hospitalizations—about 20 times more than in the year 2000—along with 70 deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for public health interventions in this region.

The researchers suggested that urban factors, such as high population density in the areas studied, play a significant role in the prevalence of lung cancer. They noted that the Centro and Turu areas not only have higher rates of illness but also correlate with the higher population density, indicating that urbanization may be a contributing factor to the rise in lung cancer cases in São Luís. The findings call for a closer examination of environmental influences on health and the establishment of more effective health campaigns to address this alarming trend.