In April, 2010, the President’s Cancer Panel submitted to the President its 2008 – 2009 annual report titled “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now.”

The Executive Summary of this excellent report begins with a sobering fact: “Despite overall decreases in incidence and mortality, cancer continues to shatter and steal the lives of Americans. Approximately 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, and about 21 percent will die from cancer.” 

The Panel convened four meetings to assess the state of environmental cancer research, policy, and programs addressing known and potential effects of environmental exposures on cancer.  The Panel received testimony from 45 invited experts from academia, government, industry, the environmental and cancer advocacy communities, and the public.   The report summarizes the Panel’s findings and conclusions based on the testimony received and additional information gathering. The Panel’s recommendations delineate concrete actions that governments, industry, the research, health care, and advocacy communities, and individuals can take to reduce cancer risk related to environmental contaminants, excess radiation, and other harmful exposures.