Center For Environmental Oncology (CEO)

What is the CEO?

The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) Center for Environmental Oncology was formed to improve the understanding of avoidable causes of cancer development and recurrence. The center translates basic research findings into effective educational outreach for health professionals and the public.

What is the role of the environment on cancer?

According to National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences data, environmental factors cause between 80 and 90 percent of all cancers. The cancer risk of children mirrors that of their adoptive—not biologic—parents. Migrants' cancer risks change to that of their new country. And fewer than half of identical twins get the same type of cancer. Environmental, controllable causes of cancer represent a major threat, and educating the public can make a huge impact in the fight against cancer.

Where can I learn more?

The CEO maintains the Healthy Places, Healthy People website, which provides information to the public about the environment and cancer. It is online at http://www.environmentaloncology.org

What are the CEO's goals?

A fundamental goal of the Center for Environmental Oncology is to develop programs with the capability of synthesizing the vast amount of scientific data that is available on the causes of cancer and convert this information into effective public policy and education programs.

These efforts include:

• toxicology, exposure assessment, and epidemiologic research studies to identify controllable risks and programs for risk reduction
• public policy and broad sweeping outreach programs that provide practical models for altering the risk of cancer – both for clinical professionals and the general public
• elimination of toxic cleaning chemicals, carcinogenic air fresheners, pesticides, and other hazardous chemicals from the hospital environment, saving money and reducing worker days lost to contact dermatitis, eye irritation, and other toxic exposures, as well as lowering cancer risk
• accurate and concise messages about ways to reduce cancer risk to individuals, homes, schools, communities, medical and other workplaces, and major public and private institutions
• a network of scientists, patients, families, and hospitals working collaboratively to create novel opportunities to reduce the risk of cancer
• an international network of scientists, medical practitioners, and institutions that share an interest in environmental oncology for purposes of collaboration and the exchange of information
• a high quality, externally funded basic research program focused on environmental carcinogenesis and chemoprevention

Return to top of page