State of play

It is estimated that over 40% of cancers could be prevented through fighting environmental pollution, controlling chemicals exposure and modifying lifestyle habits such as food, smoking and alcohol consumption, UV exposure, physical activity, etc.

Risk factors, measures, science-for-policy and evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of cancer are explained in detail in this chapter.

JRC / EC related projects

The Joint Research Center (JRC) is strongly engaged in cancer matters and deploys cross-cutting science and technology for cancer prevention. The examples of ongoing or planned projects and relevant tools and publications are listed below.
 

Projects linking cancer incidence/mortality to environmental exposures:

• investigating links between exposure to environmental carcinogens and cancer, through Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM),
• air pollution: mapping of particular matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentrations and linking to lung cancer,
• water pollution: linking poyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure through surface water to cancer incidence and mortality,
• soil condition: soil metals and pesticides exposure in relation to cancer incidence,
• indoor radon exposure: mapping indoor radon and and linking to lung cancer.
   

Other projects:

• establishing framework for testing novel nicotine delivery systems,
• investigating links between brain cancer incidence and the development of mobile networks, including 5G,
• Competence Centre on Behavioural insights evaluates policy interventions and analyses social, cultural, and psychological factors impacting on cancer-related behaviours, such as adherence to cancer screening programmes and vaccination hesitancy (especially in the context of liver and cervical cancers).