Environmental influences in cancer aetiology

Purpose. The purpose of this review is to inform both scientists and clinicians about the increase in cancer incidence throughout the Western World and to discuss environmental influences in cancer aetiology, in order to stimulate thoughts about plausible aetiological mechanisms and possible preventative measures.Design. Literature review.Materials and methods. This review was conducted by searching biomedical databases such as PubMed and Medline. Further research to obtain cancer incidence data involved accessing UK cancer registries, major cancer charities and government statistical records from the Office of National Statistics, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.Results. Cancer incidence rates have increased in the Western World and this increased incidence affects the whole age spectrum. Epidemiological studies have provided some evidence of an association between exposure to environmental contaminants such as organochlorines and increased cancer risk....