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ACS report on environmental carcinogens may promote cancer testing

Updated: 2009-10-30 09:00:00 CST Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers

by Brendan Missett

ACS report on environmental carcinogens may promote cancer testing
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has ordered the development of new strategies to efficiently screen the number of carcinogens to which the public is commonly exposed, according to a new report.

The report, which was intended to address emerging issues regarding environmental pollutants and cancer, places environmental pollutants into the context of cancer risk and prevention.

In the commentary by the ACS' scientific advisory subcommittee on cancer and the environment, the health officials describe the constraints in implementing current screening systems due to resources which are too limited to crack the complexity of the environmental issues.

"Exposure levels to environmental pollution to the general public are typically far lower than the levels associated with the proven cancer risks shown in occupational or other settings," said Dr Elizabeth Fontham, national volunteer president of the ACS. However, she added, "the multiplicity of substances, the fact that many exposures are out of the public's control" and the harmful potential of low-level exposures are reasons for concern.

In the meantime, researchers know that reduced tobacco use, improved nutrition, healthy body weight, and vaccinations against some infections can prevent the development of cancer. ACS doctors recommend an array of imaging tests or lab tests to detect some types of cancer early, while they are most treatable.

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