Environmental cancer in the Indian context--an overview

Problems related to environmental carcinogenesis have begun to surface with increased industrial activity and diffusion of hazardous chemicals. Cancer Registries maintained in some of our cities can help in retrospectively analysing incidence and related aetiology. Even a casual analysis of the existing data related aetiology. Even a casual analysis of the existing data belies the oversimplicity of the WHO model used in developing countries to asign lower priority to cancer prevention and control than to communicable diseases. Exposure data to environmental inducers of cancer, radiations, chemicals and other stresses is urgently needed. Prevention strategy should be more and more on a scientific base for an early detection and risk estimates of chemical exposures. Sustained environmental monitoring for inducers and cofactors are required. The Factory Act must make provision for appropriate health surveillance of workers over a long period.