In this episode of The Oncology Insights Podcast, I speak with Dr. Joan Schiller, Co-Founder and Chair of Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health–International, and Dr. Leticia Nogueira, Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. We explore how climate change influences cancer risk, outcomes, and healthcare systems, discussing adaptation, mitigation, and preparedness strategies. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Our reliance on fossil fuels increases exposure to carcinogens at every stage, worsening cancer rates and outcomes.” – Dr. Leticia Nogueira

Meet the guests:

Dr. Joan Schiller is a thoracic oncologist internationally recognized for her research in lung cancer and leadership in advancing awareness of climate change’s impact on cancer. She chairs Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International and has held leading positions at the University of Virginia and UT Southwestern.

Dr. Leticia Nogueira, Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society, is a leading voice studying the intersection of climate, policy, and cancer outcomes.

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Links to the full research articles and websites:

Zhang D, Xi Y, Boffa DJ, Liu Y, Nogueira LM. Association of Wildfire Exposure While Recovering From Lung Cancer Surgery With Overall Survival. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Sep 1;9(9):1214-1220. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2144. PMID: 37498574; PMCID: PMC10375383.

Nogueira LM, Sahar L, Efstathiou JA, Jemal A, Yabroff KR. Association Between Declared Hurricane Disasters and Survival of Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Radiation Treatment. JAMA. 2019 Jul 16;322(3):269-271. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.7657. PMID: 31310288; PMCID: PMC6635902.

Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health International

Nogueira, L.M., Yabroff, K.R. and Bernstein, A. (2020), Climate change and cancer. CA A Cancer J Clin, 70: 239-244. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21610

Espinel Z, Nogueira LM, Gay HA, Bryant JM, Hamilton W, Trapido EJ, Shepherd JM, Galea S, Shultz JM. Climate-driven Atlantic hurricanes create complex challenges for cancer care. Lancet Oncol. 2022 Dec;23(12):1497-1498. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00635-0. Epub 2022 Oct 18. PMID: 36272419.

Zhang D, Xi Y, Boffa DJ, Liu Y, Nogueira LM. Association of Wildfire Exposure While Recovering From Lung Cancer Surgery With Overall Survival. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Sep 1;9(9):1214-1220. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2144. PMID: 37498574; PMCID: PMC10375383.

Espinel Z, Shultz JM, Aubry VP, Abraham OM, Fan Q, Crane TE, Sahar L, Nogueira LM. Protecting vulnerable patient populations from climate hazards: the role of the nation's cancer centers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 Nov 8;115(11):1252-1261. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad139. PMID: 37490548; PMCID: PMC11009498.

Hantel A, Cernik C, Walsh TP, Uno H, Larios D, Slutzman JE, Abel GA. Assessing the Environmental and Downstream Human Health Impacts of Decentralizing Cancer Care. JAMA Oncol. 2024 Sep 1;10(9):1245-1252. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.2744. PMID: 38829310; PMCID: PMC11148788.

Smith M, Singh H, Sherman JD. Infection Prevention, Planetary Health, and Single-Use Plastics. JAMA. 2023 Nov 28;330(20):1947-1948. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.20550. PMID: 37782511.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:34) Introduction
• (05:13) Climate events and cancer
• (08:23) Air pollution link
• (10:53) Access to care
• (21:13) Responding to climate risks
• (25:05) Healthcare system emissions
• (37:55) Final Questions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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