Experts urge doctors to be climate-conscious when prescribing cancer treatment

Academics called for sustainability officers to be employed in healthcare settings in the same way experts in pharmacy or infection control are employed now. Picture: Alamy

Cancer doctors have been urged to work in a more climate-friendly manner, as ignoring the growing eco-crisis means failing their patients and children. 

While modern healthcare has improved results for patients and their life expectancy, it also brings a substantial impact on emissions and other environmental pressures.

Responding to the crisis, academics and oncologists from Cork University Hospital, University College Cork, Cancer Trials Ireland, and the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in Holland have examined ways in which cancer care can be more climate-friendly.

“Our modern health care advances would not be possible without plastics, which is the signature material of our age,” they said.

“However, the manufacture of all plastics accounts for 8% of global oil production, as oil is used as a feedstock for plastic and as a fuel in the manufacturing process. 

The negative impacts of this enterprise include environmental injustice to those involved in plastics manufacturing who develop higher rates of cancer and to children living in fenceline communities near manufacturing facilities who suffer higher rates of leukemia.

The authors, including Cork-based oncologist Seamus O’ Reilly, said 2% of plastics by value are used in health care and this is rising every year.

Any positive changes will also benefit vulnerable cancer patients, they said, pointing out “less climate toxicity also leads to less time and financial toxicities for patients and society". 

They focused on systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) which could include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy or a combination of these as an example of where changes could be made.

“Where the evidence justifies a switch, the oncologist should consider less frequent visits and longer treatment intervals, switching from intravenous to subcutaneous or oral options when available, and ensuring that we are only treating when this is consistent with evidence of benefit and the patient’s informed preferences,” the paper indicated.

Other examples include patients receiving lifestyle medicine recommendations in addition to treatment.

Meat-centric diets account for 14.5% of greenhouse gases. Shifting to a plant-based diet is one of the single largest climate change impacts we could integrate into both our professional and personal lives. 

"It would also align meat, dairy, and egg consumption in line with health guidelines,” they said.

They called for sustainability officers to be employed in healthcare settings in the same way experts in pharmacy or infection control are employed now.

Applications for research funding should also take the environment impact of any plans into account, they suggested.

The paper was published ahead of an event taking place on Wednesday during London Global Cancer Week. 

This will focus on the impact of climate change in cancer care and includes a presentation by Prof O’ Reilly for Cancer Trials Ireland.

The paper, 'Why We Should, and How We Can, Reduce the Climate Toxicity of Cancer Care' can be read in the latest issue of the journal JCO Oncology Practice.

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