Some populations are particularly vulnerable. Research shows that Indigenous, Black, and Latinx people, as well as recent immigrants and people with lower incomes are far more likely to work with toxic chemicals that increase their risk for cancer and are more likely to eat, drink, and breathe more toxic chemicals because of where they live. Children are especially sensitive to environmental chemicals because of their developing bodies. Their young age also means they have more time to develop diseases with long latency periods such as cancer that may be triggered by harmful exposures early in life. 

Research to better understand how cancer develops, the role of behavioral and environmental factors, as well as interventions to prevent the initiation of the disease, hold great promise for lifting the burden of cancer over time. 

We seek to expand both the definition of what it means to prevent cancer and the ways we can achieve that. We have made great progress in identifying and addressing important lifestyle contributions to cancer (e.g., the importance of diet and exercise, tobacco smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake). We have made great strides in improving secondary prevention such as early screenings. And, we have made impressive advances in cancer treatments. However, to truly lift the burden of cancer, we must expand the scope and strategies for reducing the high incidence rates of cancer.