Malta backs action on environmental pollutants to close gap in cancer prevention

Verdala Palace, Malta, 4 February 2015 – The World Cancer Day Conference today (1) focuses on the primary prevention of cancer through changes in environmental policy.

Two events (morning and evening), to be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, will share the different European opportunities and experiences for promoting cancer prevention through environmental action.

“We chose this theme because the European Union is leading the world in environmental policy to promote health. We want to make sure policy makers and all stakeholders in Malta and elsewhere know how to maximise the potential,” says Esther Sant, Chairperson of Action for Breast Cancer Foundation.

The keynote address: “Environmental policy as a lever in cancer prevention” is given by Génon K. Jensen, Executive Director of Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) in Brussels. HEAL brings together more than 70 networks and groups concerned with how the environment affects health in Europe. 

Scientific evidence linking the risks of cancer with environmental factors has increased dramatically in recent years.  For example, within the past 18 months, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency (IARC) has officially recognised air pollution as a contributor to lung cancer. In response to growing evidence, the American Public Health Association (APHA), which is the largest public health organization in the world, has adopted a ground-breaking resolution on the elevated risk of breast cancer faced by women in certain occupations and from everyday environmental exposures. 

Hormonal cancers, such as those of the breast, prostate and testes, are increasingly linked to chemical exposures. The incidence of all three of these cancers has risen rapidly in recent decades in Europe. Experts are in agreement that the upward trends cannot derive entirely either from genetics or an aging population or better screening. Environmental exposures are among the likely causes, especially exposure to certain harmful “hormone disrupting” chemicals found in everyday products, such as food and beverage containers and cosmetics.  

Testicular cancer

Andrew Grech, a survivor of testicular cancer, is raising awareness about male cancers in Malta by speaking to the press and via his Malta Male Cancer Awareness Facebook page. He says that with more knowledge, a man can get an early diagnosis and therefore perhaps circumvent the chemotherapy. It is a very treatable cancer if detected early.

Fortunately, it may also be possible to prevent some cases of testicular cancer from ever developing by addressing environmental causes. A recent report from Nordic governments on health costs suggested that up to 40% of testicular cancer may be due to exposure to endocrine (or hormone) disrupting chemicals. 

Testicular cancer is unusual in that it mainly affects young – rather than older - men. The risk of developing testicular cancer depends very much on where you live – rates are very low in Africa, much higher in Western Europe. Even in Europe, rates diverge with incidence in Denmark three times as high as in Malta. But although testicular cancer is relatively rare in Malta (4 out of every 100,000 men, equivalent to 20 new cases diagnosed each year), rates are rising rapidly in most European countries. Action to remove exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals in the everyday environment represents an important opportunity to cut the incidence of this cancer. 

Opportunities

Policy changes related to both endocrine disrupting chemicals and air quality standards are currently being debated in the European institutions, where 90% of European environmental legislation is created. The work of Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is to advocate for environmental policy that benefits public health and cancer prevention.

“Cleaner air and reduced exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday products are two important interventions that can help prevent cancer – and help close the current gap in cancer prevention efforts,” says Génon K. Jensen.

“HEAL focuses on policy changes at the EU level. But some of our members work closely with their governments on environmental protection to prevent cancer at national level. For example, France now addresses environmental pollutants in their national cancer plans. With the Malta Cancer Plan coming to an end this year, the Maltese Government has a great opportunity to strengthen this component in future anti-cancer strategy and plans.” 

One of the objectives of the current European environment action programme is to safeguard Europe’s citizens, from environment-related pressures and risks to health and well-being. In a video address to the conference, Malta’s Karmenu Vella, the European Commissioner for Environment welcomes greater focus – and action - on environmental policy to promote cancer prevention. 

“World Cancer Day is not only meant to make us think, but more so to make us act,” he said.

“Over 27,000 comments and suggestions were received in the recent EU public consultation on endocrine disrupting chemicals. I will continue to work with the European Commissioner for Health to make sure these this input is taken into account in the preparation of the relative legislation.

“The Commission's Clean Air Policy Package, which is now on the table of the co-legislators, is an integrated and comprehensive way aiming to reduce these harmful impacts by at least 50% by 2030.

“Better air means healthier people, who are more productive at work, enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and above all live longer. A cost benefit study shows that this package will have both an environmental as well as an economic positive impact. In public debates, the EU’s clean air package has already received a lot of support as to why Europe needs cleaner air, and I expect all member states to act to achieve their citizens’ expectations. And this is where a strong voice such as yours really counts.”

 

Download the Conference Programme