Inserm recognizes a link between the environment and cancer
The National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) has released a collective report establishing a link between cancer and the environment.
Cancer and incidence
This 900-page document, commissioned by the French Agency for the Safety of Environment and Labour (Afsset), analyzed the international literature focusing on nine selected in a previous expertise cancers, because of the increased incidence over the past 25 years.
Cancers involved are lung cancer , the mesothelioma , the hematological malignancies, the brain tumors , the breast ,ovarian , testicular , prostate and thyroid .
The experts considered environmental factors of physical, chemical or biological agents in the atmosphere, water, soil or food whose exposure is incurred and not generated by individual behavior. Thus, passive smoking is addressed in this expertise while smoking is not active.
The Acting Director General of Afsset Henri Poinsignon, highlighted the differences between this and the expertise brought by the National Academy of Medicine, which estimated that nearly 9 out of 10 cancers remained of unidentified origin in non- smoking.
This expertise "is limited to certain carcinogens," said Henri Poinsignon. By not including suspected carcinogens, it led to a particularly low value of attributable risk, which resulted in a "heated debate", he reported.
Cancers involved are lung cancer , the mesothelioma , the hematological malignancies, the brain tumors , the breast ,ovarian , testicular , prostate and thyroid .
The experts considered environmental factors of physical, chemical or biological agents in the atmosphere, water, soil or food whose exposure is incurred and not generated by individual behavior. Thus, passive smoking is addressed in this expertise while smoking is not active.
The Acting Director General of Afsset Henri Poinsignon, highlighted the differences between this and the expertise brought by the National Academy of Medicine, which estimated that nearly 9 out of 10 cancers remained of unidentified origin in non- smoking.
This expertise "is limited to certain carcinogens," said Henri Poinsignon. By not including suspected carcinogens, it led to a particularly low value of attributable risk, which resulted in a "heated debate", he reported.
environmental factors Of "partially responsible"
In this report, Inserm announced that "changes in the environment could be partly responsible for the observed increase in the incidence of certain cancers."
Among the carcinogenic factors "proven and probable" are the asbestos , the radiation, radon or passive smoking,but also pesticides , the dioxins , PCBs, certain heavy metals and particulate emissions from motor vehicles.
The study confirms the risk of certain environmental factors, occupational, such as asbestos or benzene, or present in the general environment, such as tobacco or radon, but also opens up new avenues.
Pesticides that are found in food, drinking water, indoor and outdoor air and dust of the house are called "debate" for eight of the nine cancers studied, with the exception of the pleura factor. Experts point out, however, that "most of the studies suffer from significant inaccuracies," especially on exposure to pesticides.
External exposure to ionizing radiation is considered "known carcinogen." About 60 to 73 million radiological diagnostic examinations are performed each year in France, about one review per person. According to the researchers,"it has been shown that repeated radiological examinations (...), increase the risk of breast cancer, and may increase that of other cancers."
Radon, whose role has proved to lung cancer, could be involved in leukemia. It is recognized that this gas is a risk, even at the concentrations found in homes and public buildings. According to data from a large measurement campaign, radon concentrations above 200 Bq/m3 is observed in about 9% of the homes, or "excess risk is estimated at 8-10% per 100 Bq / m3. "
The expert also reported an association between airborne particles and lung cancer. Diesel particles can represent up to 90% in France particulate emissions from road traffic. According to studies in Paris, Grenoble, Rouen and Strasbourg, 10% of lung cancers in these cities are attributable to them.
From this analysis, researchers from Inserm make recommendations: reduce exposure to particles or pesticides,note book on an individual radiation doses absorbed in radiology or reduce exposure to radon in the home environment and in the workplace.
Among the carcinogenic factors "proven and probable" are the asbestos , the radiation, radon or passive smoking,but also pesticides , the dioxins , PCBs, certain heavy metals and particulate emissions from motor vehicles.
The study confirms the risk of certain environmental factors, occupational, such as asbestos or benzene, or present in the general environment, such as tobacco or radon, but also opens up new avenues.
Pesticides that are found in food, drinking water, indoor and outdoor air and dust of the house are called "debate" for eight of the nine cancers studied, with the exception of the pleura factor. Experts point out, however, that "most of the studies suffer from significant inaccuracies," especially on exposure to pesticides.
External exposure to ionizing radiation is considered "known carcinogen." About 60 to 73 million radiological diagnostic examinations are performed each year in France, about one review per person. According to the researchers,"it has been shown that repeated radiological examinations (...), increase the risk of breast cancer, and may increase that of other cancers."
Radon, whose role has proved to lung cancer, could be involved in leukemia. It is recognized that this gas is a risk, even at the concentrations found in homes and public buildings. According to data from a large measurement campaign, radon concentrations above 200 Bq/m3 is observed in about 9% of the homes, or "excess risk is estimated at 8-10% per 100 Bq / m3. "
The expert also reported an association between airborne particles and lung cancer. Diesel particles can represent up to 90% in France particulate emissions from road traffic. According to studies in Paris, Grenoble, Rouen and Strasbourg, 10% of lung cancers in these cities are attributable to them.
From this analysis, researchers from Inserm make recommendations: reduce exposure to particles or pesticides,note book on an individual radiation doses absorbed in radiology or reduce exposure to radon in the home environment and in the workplace.
For green, a report "well timore"
The Association for Cancer Therapeutics Research (ARTAC) welcomed in a statement "the recognition of the role of the environment in the current epidemic of cancers." The Greens, meanwhile, consider this report as "an important step forward," but consider the recommendations of the INSERM "very timid".
"This report does not lie in the application of the precautionary principle, which requires to be concerned with all provisions, and radiation for which suspicion is demonstrated in animals", say Greens in a statement. "The fight against the cancer epidemic requires a paradigm shift to finally pass a preventive approach to the logic of precaution, "theyconcluded.
The Movement for Rights and respect for future generations (MDRGF) also regrets "cautious to the extreme" report, adding that denotes a "total lack of ambition in the recommendations it advocates." MDRGF calls on Parliament to support measures to reduce by 50% the use of pesticides by 10 years and the promotion of organic agriculture in the voting laws Grenelle I and II.
ARTAC called for its part "to accelerate research on the interactions between cancer and the environment and providing quick solutions to reduce human exposure to these environmental risk factors, including the prohibition of substances more dangerous, and not the issue of simple recommendations. "
From this report, Afsset should issue an opinion on the subject. It will serve to prepare the second planes cancer, environmental health (NESP) and health, as well as the determination of reference values for carcinogens.
"This report does not lie in the application of the precautionary principle, which requires to be concerned with all provisions, and radiation for which suspicion is demonstrated in animals", say Greens in a statement. "The fight against the cancer epidemic requires a paradigm shift to finally pass a preventive approach to the logic of precaution, "theyconcluded.
The Movement for Rights and respect for future generations (MDRGF) also regrets "cautious to the extreme" report, adding that denotes a "total lack of ambition in the recommendations it advocates." MDRGF calls on Parliament to support measures to reduce by 50% the use of pesticides by 10 years and the promotion of organic agriculture in the voting laws Grenelle I and II.
ARTAC called for its part "to accelerate research on the interactions between cancer and the environment and providing quick solutions to reduce human exposure to these environmental risk factors, including the prohibition of substances more dangerous, and not the issue of simple recommendations. "
From this report, Afsset should issue an opinion on the subject. It will serve to prepare the second planes cancer, environmental health (NESP) and health, as well as the determination of reference values for carcinogens.
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