Research Trends on Pesticide Exposure and Cancer Development: A Global Literature Review (2005–2024)

This study examines the global research landscape on the relationship between pesticide exposure and cancer using bibliometric and scientometric approaches. A total of 3908 records published between 2005 and 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science database using an elaborate search strategy incorporating pesticide-related keywords (e.g., atrazine, glyphosate, DDT, chlorpyrifos) and general cancer descriptors (cancer and neoplasm). The analysis explores publication trends, citation patterns, keyword co-occurrence, and co-citation networks to understand the evolution of research in this field. The results reveal a consistent increase in publication output, indicating growing global attention to pesticide-related health risks. Keyword burst analysis and temporal thematic assessment highlight a clear evolution in research focus, shifting from early studies on occupational exposure and epidemiological risk assessment toward recent emphasis on toxicity, oxidative stress, and mechanistic pathways underlying carcinogenesis. The findings provide important insights for future research, public health policy, and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches. By identifying emerging themes and research gaps, this study offers a broad understanding of the development of pesticide-cancer research and supports efforts to mitigate the health impacts of pesticide exposure.