Climate toxicity: An increasingly relevant clinical issue in Cancer Care
Catherine S. Weadick, Rachel J. Keogh, Hailey Carroll, Sandra Boldrin, Eibhlin Mulroe, Lucy Eldersveld Murphy, Bryan Sheils, Aisling Barry, Séamus O’Reilly
Abstract
In recent years the terms time and financial toxicities have entered the vocabulary of cancer care. We would like to introduce another toxicity: climate toxicity. Climate toxicity is a double-edge sword in cancer care. Increasing cancer risk by exposure to carcinogens, and consequently increasing treatment requirements leads to ever growing damage to our environment. This article assesses the impact of climate change on patients, the climate toxicity caused by both healthcare workers and healthcare facilities, and suggests actions that may be taken mitigate them.
Topics & Concepts
ToxicityHealth careCancerMedicineClimate changeBusinessEnvironmental resource managementEconomicsEconomic growthInternal medicineBiologyEcologyClimate Change and Health ImpactsRadiation Dose and ImagingAir Quality and Health Impacts