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Inequalities in Environmental Cancer Risk and Carcinogen Exposures: A Scoping Review

Author

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  • Kristian Larsen

    (Health Canada, Office of Environmental Health, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Environmental and Radiation Health Science Directorate, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
    CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
    Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Ela Rydz

    (CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada)

  • Cheryl E. Peters

    (CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
    Prevention, Screening and Hereditary Cancer, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
    Population and Public Health, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada)

Abstract

Background : Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and a major cause of death worldwide. Environmental exposure to carcinogens and environments that may relate to health behaviors are important to examine as they can be modified to lower cancer risks. Built environments include aspects such as transit infrastructure, greenspace, food and tobacco environments, or land use, which may impact how people move, exercise, eat, and live. While environments may play a role in overall cancer risk, exposure to carcinogens or healthier environments is not equitably spread across space. Exposures to carcinogens commonly concentrate among socially and/or economically disadvantaged populations. While many studies have examined inequalities in exposure or cancer risk, this has commonly been for one exposure. Methods : This scoping review collected and synthesized research that examines inequities in carcinogenic environments and exposures. Results : This scoping review found that neighborhoods with higher proportions of low-income residents, racialized people, or same-sex couples had higher exposures to carcinogens and environments that may influence cancer risk. There are currently four main themes in research studying inequitable exposures: air pollution and hazardous substances, tobacco access, food access, and other aspects of the built environment, with most research still focusing on air pollution. Conclusions : More work is needed to understand how exposures to these four areas intersect with other factors to reduce inequities in exposures to support longer-term goals toward cancer prevention.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristian Larsen & Ela Rydz & Cheryl E. Peters, 2023. "Inequalities in Environmental Cancer Risk and Carcinogen Exposures: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:9:p:5718-:d:1139072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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