Cancer & Environment Forum 2022
The first Cancer & Environment Forum, held in 2022, was hosted by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in partnership with Silent Spring Institute, the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, the Cancer Free Economy Network, the Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Mass General Brigham, and the Center for Cancer Equity and Engagement at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. The three-day forum brought together scientists, healthcare professionals, and community members to explore how environmental chemicals—including air pollutants and drinking water contaminants—contribute to cancer, and to examine the critical role clinicians play as trusted health communicators.
Speakers shared the latest science on cancer-causing chemicals, why some people are more vulnerable than others, and what can be learned from real-world examples of communities affected by pollution. They also highlighted practical tools and resources for reducing harmful exposures, explored ways to integrate exposure reduction into cancer prevention strategies, and examined how healthcare providers can engage policymakers and the broader public to help reduce environmental risks.
Overview
When: February 3, February 16, and March 1, 2022
Target audience: Clinicians and healthcare providers from across all medical specialties (CME credits available)
Topics covered:
- Session 1: What are the new ideas about how chemicals cause cancer, and how should we think about risk? (Thursday, February 3, 2022)
- Session 2: Air pollution and cancer. The science linking air pollution to cancers is strong. Given that reducing exposure is often beyond the control of the individual, what are opportunities for addressing air pollution in public health, research and community settings, and what roles can clinicians play? (Wednesday, February 16, 2022)
- Session 3: Primary prevention and a role for clinicians as trusted communicators - barriers and opportunities. (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)
Recommended Background Materials
- Watch: Unacceptable Risk: Margaret Kripke on Cancer and the Environment. Producer/Director, Cynthia McKeown
- Read: Kripke M., J.G. Brody, E. Hawk, A.B. Hernandez, P.J. Hoppin, M.M. Jacobs, R.A. Rudel, T.R. Rebbeck. 2020. Rethinking Environmental Carcinogenesis. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 29(10): 1870-1875
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this three-part activity, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish and employ skills for talking to patients about environmental causes of cancer.
- Review how to contact appropriate public health professionals about suspected unusual occurrences of cancer in communities.
- Identify how to support patients in participating in a public health investigation.
- Demonstrate how to participate in community-based research and influence public health policies on air pollution.
- Advise patients on utilizing environmental health resources for education and prevention.
- Apply skills to educate patients on relevance and impact of public environmental resources.
- Demonstrate skills to speak with news media on the impact of environmental issues on public health and cancer.
- Identify misinformation targeted to the public by industrial interests.