Cancer and Environmental Pollutants

Through surveillance and tracking, scientists have observed a relationship between some cancers and certain environmental pollutants. This relationship does not rule out other causes but does suggest that there are factors in the environment that may increase the risk for some cancers. For example, smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer but radon levels in the home can also increase the risk for lung cancer. The cause of many cancer types is unknown and likely determined by many factors at different points in the lifespan.

Although environmental pollution has been a source of great public concern for decades, more research is needed about environmental exposures at the community level. Evidence is building to support a link between cancer and lower levels of exposures to environmental pollutants.

For more information on other types of cancer, and information on cancer risks and prevention check out the links listed below under Other Resources.