HEAL and European Cancer Leagues launch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants

UPDATE: This infographic was relaunched during the 2022 edition of the European Week Against Cancer and has been updated with the latest data on cancer prevention.  To visit the updated version, click here. 

To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2020, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to launch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.

Available for download in PDF and JPG

The infographic is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, and has been launched alongside a set of supporting social media fact cards. The materials illustrate how pollutants in our environment increase cancer risk – and how tackling these pollutants is a big public health opportunity.

Cancer causes 1 in 4 deaths in the European Union and is the first cause of death at work in the EU. Frequent exposure to some cancer-causing chemical substances at work and during our daily lives, such as pesticides, endocrine disrupting chemicals and air pollution, poses serious health risks.

Many EU policies around the European Green Deal will provide an opportunity to prevent cancer – starting with the Beating Cancer Plan as well as the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The European Week Against Cancer takes place between 25 and 31 May each year. During this week, cancer charities, European policy-makers and civil societies have the opportunity to engage in various activities to raise awareness about cancer prevention, access to treatment and support for patients and cancer survivors.