Abstract
To meet the country's health goals for 2011-2016, a qualitative review of exposure to risk factors for cancer in Qatar was conducted in 2013. The review included exposure to environmental agents carcinogenic to humans (International Agency for Research on Cancer classification), as well as lifestyle factors known to affect cancer risk. Information from all available sources was assembled and reviewed. The levels of particulate matter reported in Qatar were in the upper range of ambient air pollutants reported internationally, and may influence the country's future lung cancer burden. The limited data on occupational exposure suggests that the greatest risks for workers in the construction industry are likely to be from environmental dust and related air pollutants. The greatest cancer risks for Qatari nationals may be lifestyle factors, particularly obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Extended monitoring of the composition of and human exposure to air pollutants is recommended.
Highlights
IntroductionEnvironmental factors that are potentially preventable make an important contribution to the burden of cancer worldwide [2]
Overall cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing [1]
The levels of air pollution reported in Qatar exceed those reported by European and North American countries, and may influence the country’s future lung cancer burden [22]
Summary
Environmental factors that are potentially preventable make an important contribution to the burden of cancer worldwide [2]. These include factors such as exposure to environmental air pollution, occupational exposure to carcinogenic compounds, and lifestyle factors such as dietary choices and exposure to tobacco smoke. A key recommendation of the Qatar national cancer strategy for the years 2011–16 was to carry out a review of environmental carcinogens in the country [4]. To inform and develop these important goals, the Supreme Council of Health of Qatar together with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) conducted a qualitative review in 2013 of environmental risk factors for cancer in Qatar. This paper presents the main findings and discusses the challenges of determining cancer risk attributable to environmental exposures in the Qatari population
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