Background

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Europe, accounting for a substantial share of the global cancer burden. Although progress in treatment and early detection has improved survival, the number of cancer cases continues to rise. That emphasizes the need to strengthen prevention strategies.

Cancer prevention has traditionally focused on individual-level behavioural risk factors. However, growing evidence highlights that cancer risk is shaped across the life-course by broader environmental and structural determinants. The concept of Planetary Health provides an opportunity to broaden prevention efforts by recognising the interdependence and circularity of how human behaviour creates manmade environmental damages and exposures that impact the health of humans, animals, and plant ecosystems likewise.

Across the life-course, individuals are exposed to environmental risks shaped by the quality of the air they breathe, the systems through which food is produced and distributed, and the urban environments in which they live. Outdoor air pollution is an established human carcinogen and remains a major environmental health challenge across Europe. Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, influencing environmental exposures, food systems, and living conditions, with direct and indirect implications for cancer risk and health inequalities. Unsustainable food systems contribute to environmental degradation while shaping food environments and population exposure to agricultural chemicals and food-related contaminants, while also being increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disruptions. Urban environments shape environmental exposures, mobility systems, access to green spaces, and resilience to climate-related challenges, influencing opportunities for healthier living and more equitable cancer prevention.

Cancer Prevention Europe is an international consortium committed to strengthening cancer prevention research and translating evidence into policy and practice. Building on its life-course prevention framework, this workshop will explore how planetary health perspectives can strengthen cancer prevention strategies through three key themes: cleaner air, sustainable food systems, and healthier urban environments.

Objectives

Aligned with the strategic priorities of Cancer Prevention Europe, this workshop will enable participants to engage with researchers, policymakers, and public health professionals to discuss how planetary health can strengthen cancer prevention across Europe.

Participants will:

• examine current evidence on the role of air pollution, food systems, and urban environments in shaping cancer risk across the life-course;
• explore opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration to integrate planetary health principles into cancer prevention strategies;
• identify implementation challenges and structural barriers to addressing environmental determinants of cancer risk;
• co-develop practical and context-specific prevention approaches applicable across European settings;
• strengthen interdisciplinary exchange and shared learning across research, policy, and practice.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• understand how air quality, food systems, and urban environments influence cancer risk across the life-course;
• identify opportunities to integrate planetary health approaches into cancer prevention research, policy, and practice;
• recognise barriers and enablers for implementing systems-based prevention strategies;
• contribute to collaborative and context-specific solutions for addressing environmental determinants of cancer prevention.