Guzzo Research Chair in Environment and Cancer of the Université de Montréal
In very general terms we can distinguish two stages at which we can fight cancer. While people are still healthy we can search for ways to prevent the cancer from ever starting. After cancer starts we can search for ways to treat it most effectively. By far the most humane approach is to prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. To achieve this objective, the first and most important stage is to identify those factors in our environment and in our lifestyles which can cause cancer. We already know, from previous research, about the possible harmful effects of cigarette smoking and a number of other cancer-causing agents. Such research has given us the information needed to prevent cancer.
Unfortunately, despite its importance, the amount of research into the environmental and lifestyle causes of cancer has been trivial in Canada. Recognising this gap in knowledge, the Guzzo family has established the Guzzo-SRC Chair in Environment and Cancer and I have been fortunate to be the holder of the Guzzo Chair. My team at the University of Montreal is one of the few in Canada that has specialized in researching the environmental and lifestyle causes of cancer. The funds provided by the Guzzo Chair have helped us to explore a number of possible causes of cancer. Among the results we have published in the past two years are the following:
- Heavy and long-term consumption of alcohol can increase the risks of some cancers (liver, esophagus, stomach). Moderate consumption does not increase the risk.
- Women who had both ovaries surgically removed before menopause had a higher risk of lung cancer than women who had natural menopause.
- Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer in certain occupations.
- Painters in construction and renovation experience higher risks of lung cancer than normal, and this may be related to the fumes from the paint itself
- Emissions from diesel engines may increase the risks of lung cancer.
- Workers exposed to some metals (nickel, chromium, or cadmium) experience excess risks of cancer.
Each of our published results is part of the building blocks of international research that must be taken into account before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
Documents (PDF)
