WHO : Monitoring radon is key to reduce cancer risk

The latest World Health Organization report on cancer was just released. Its goals? To provide policymakers across the world with actionable guidance. The issue is clear, the national cancer burden affects us all, and is on the rise. The report aims to show that cancer can be controlled as a public health priority by making strategic investments. 

Radon was a topic of discussion in the report.

One of the 12 key ways to reduce cancer risk according to the WHO, was determining your exposure to radon gas. 

This comes on top of the advice you may have heard before; no smoking, avoiding overexposure to the sun, vaccinations and regular cancer screenings. Airthings’ common goal since 2008 is to educate on the prevalence of radon, as well as other indoor air contaminants, and develop accessible technology solutions to help people stay healthy. The fact that radon has been acknowledged as a key priority in reducing cancer risk, is, therefore, a big step in the right direction. 

Moreover, the statistics of the report are startling. An enormous, 1 in 6 deaths are due to cancer. They even go as far as to estimate that 29.4 million cancer cases per year could be possible in 2040. A dramatic increase from 18.1 million in 2018. 

Cancer is a major public health challenge and should be treated as such. Acting now is paramount, and radon gas has been acknowledged as a way to reduce cancer risk. 

Click here now to read the full WHO report on cancer.

Sources:
WHO report on cancer: setting priorities, investing wisely and providing care for all. 2020. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/330745