New training links environment to cancer

Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) has launched a new training session at the Timone Faculty of Medicine in Marseille, exploring how environmental factors may contribute to cancer. The session, starting in early October, involves about 30 interns in medical oncology and radiotherapy, aiming to highlight the role of prevention in the education of future oncologists.

Focus on specific cancers

The course initially targeted cardiology interns but has now expanded to oncology. It focuses on three types of cancers: lung, pancreatic, and hematological cancers, which affect the blood and lymphatic system. These cancers are often linked to environmental exposures such as air pollution and chemical toxins.

Initiative led by a cardiologist

The initiative was requested by Dr. Pierre Souvet, a cardiologist and president-cofounder of the Association Santé Environnement France (ASEF). He aimed to increase the inclusion of environmental issues in medical education, emphasizing the need for doctors to understand how the environment can influence health.

Training emphasizes scientific understanding

Professor Anthony Gonçalves, an oncologist at the Institut Paoli-Calmettes (IPC) and a faculty member at the Timone Faculty of Medicine, noted that while the link between pollution and cancer was touched on in early medical training, it was not explored in depth. The course helps future oncologists address scientific uncertainties when patients question potential environmental causes of their cancer.

Future plans and regional efforts

Gonçalves stressed that the training should not dictate political positions but should inform future oncologists about how industrial choices and regulations can influence discussions around certain substances. The initiative may lead to further sessions, with a possible focus on breast cancer in 2027. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, the University Côte d'Azur offers an interuniversity diploma in environmental medicine that covers chemical pollutants, endocrine disruptors, and their links to various diseases, including cancers.