Impact of Climate Change on Cancer: Escalating Risks and Urgent Concerns

Authors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61706/MECOJ160214
Keywords:
Cancer Incidence, Cancer Mortality, Climate Change, Risk Factors, Treatment Strategies
Abstract

The present review examines the complex relationship between climate change and cancer, focusing on how environmental changes may influence cancer risk and outcomes. Despite growing evidence, research on the climate–cancer nexus remains heterogeneous and geographically limited, highlighting the need for more robust data from diverse populations. This review aims to improve understanding among oncology professionals of the potential role of climate change in cancer incidence and to support the development of comprehensive strategies that integrate the broader context of cancer prevention in a rapidly changing world. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify English-language scholarly literature addressing climate change and various solid cancers in human studies. Search terms included “air pollution,” “ozone depletion,” “ultraviolet radiation,” “global warming,” and “different types of solid cancer.” A detailed scoping review of the available literature was undertaken to examine the multiple ways in which climate change may contribute to cancer risk. The findings indicate associations between factors such as increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, and disruptions to food and water supplies and the incidence of several major solid cancers, drawing on evidence synthesised from multiple epidemiological studies. The review also examines shared pathways, underlying mechanisms, and practical implications across cancer types. By bringing together current evidence on the relationship between climate change and solid cancer incidence, this article identifies important considerations for future research and public health strategies. Although individual efforts to reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors are underway, further research is needed to determine which measures are most effective in minimizing their adverse effects on health.

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Copyright (c) 2026 Alaa Fadhil Alwan, Salah Hashim Al-Zuhairy, Said Nabil, Shahbaa Alshebli, Anas Hamad, Mohamed Abdulroaf Elsisi, Sara Essam Bauomy Ibrahim, Muhammed Hassan Nasr, Saba Mahdi Jasim

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Alwan, A. F., Al-Zuhairy, S. H., Nabil, S., Alshebli, S., Hamad, A., Elsisi, M. A., Ibrahim, S. E. B., Nasr, M. H., & Jasim, S. M. (2026). Impact of Climate Change on Cancer: Escalating Risks and Urgent Concerns. Middle Eastern Cancer and Oncology Journal, 2(2), 33-53. https://doi.org/10.61706/MECOJ160214

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