This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Non-cosmetic Pesticide Use and Cancer An innovative model for precautionary policy development Heather Logan Senior Director, Cancer Control Policy and Information December 2, 2008

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. Ends Reduced cancer incidence and cancer mortality rates for Canadians. Enhanced quality of life for Canadians living with cancer. Sub-ends Eradication 1.1 Canadians are better informed to reduce their cancer risks, adopt healthy behaviours, avoid exposure to environmental and occupational cancer risks, and also participate in organized, evidence-based screening programs. Sub-ends Quality of Life 1.2 Canadians living with cancer have access to the evidence-based information and emotional and practical support services that they need when they need them. 2.1 Public policy makes it easy for Canadians to make healthy choices, adopt healthy behaviours, avoid exposure to environmental and occupational cancer risks, and also participate in organized, evidenced-based screening programs. 2.2 Public policy ensures Canadians benefit from implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control and have equitable access to the diagnostics, treatments, end of life care, and the other supports they need. Sub-end Research 1.3/2.3 Canadians benefit from research that results in better prevention, early detection, treatment, cancer care, quality of life and end of life care. Organizational means: Engagement The Canadian Cancer Society provides Canadians with a trusted voice and compelling opportunities to work, volunteer, donate, and partner.

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Awareness and Influence Greater global awareness and interest in: –Environmental issues, particularly climate change –Environment and health –the impact of exposure to cancer causing (and other) substances in the environment and at work. Enhanced awareness of relationship between individual action and health first public policy –e.g. individual smoking cessation, legislation limiting tobacco use in public places, taxation Stronger political interest in cancer prevention due to increasing cancer burden Cancer prevention in the media

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Cancer Incidence Trends in Canada Canadian Cancer Society / National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008, Toronto, Canada, 2008

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Tipping points Canadian Cancer Society endorsement of: The precautionary principle Community right to know Canadian Cancer Society position on the cosmetic use of pesticides on lawns, gardens, and parks, based on: Evidence suggesting the potential for increased childhood and adult cancer risk from non-occupational and occupational exposures Absence of any countervailing health benefit Precautionary principle To date: 145 municipalities ban cosmetic use of pesticides and two provinces ban their sale and use for cosmetic purposes

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Agricultural Exposure CCS position on cosmetic pesticide use clear but raises questions about non-cosmetic use Pressure and questions from multiple sources –Lobbyists –Environmental advocates –Media –Canadian public –Policy makers Exposure in non-cosmetic situations may be higher and may involve more vulnerable populations CCS strongly committed to community engagement and pubic dialogue

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Exploring the Science: State of the Science Conference on Pesticides and Cancer Held on November 12 and 13, Toronto, ON Objectives –Present the body of evidence about adult and childhood pesticide exposure - at work, in communities, in what we eat and its association with cancer risk –Present precautionary-based policy alternatives to minimize pesticide exposure –Build a knowledge exchange network about pesticides and cancer for the public, health care professionals, public health practitioners and decision makers –Identify gaps in current research

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Program Themes Regulation, international standard setting, rationale for use, and monitoring Evaluating evidence Adult exposure and cancer risk (occupational and non- occupational) Childhood exposure and cancer risk Routes of exposure Measuring exposure (biomonitoring) Precautionary policies and approaches

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Attendance (200) Public Health / Health care professionals (25%) Researchers (21%) Special interest group (18%) Interested individual/group (17%) –Industry –Canadian public –Labour –Agricultural workers Policy makers (15%) National/provincial print and broadcast media (3%)

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Research and resource allocation Important questions remain unanswered –Substance by substance exposure does not take into account the multitude of exposures in human life –Windows of vulnerability remain poorly defined –Vulnerable population risk poorly defined and communication of risks likely to be sub-optimal But, important work is underway Need to coordinate knowledge and identify gaps

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Communication Communicating and adhering to a reasonable balance between scientific uncertainty and the need for action Complex, controversial scientific issues combined with strong public interest and population level exposure in some instances Affect of competing demands on message clarity, community engagement, and understanding Knowledge and understanding of precautionary polices and practices

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Continued investment beyond 2008 Updated online messaging (cancer.ca) Establishing stronger partnerships Reframing discussion ? –Food quantity –Appearance –Food price Building tolerance, encouraging evidence-informed discussion, and investing in science Refining the way uncertainty is communicated Finding balance

This grey area will not appear in your presentation.

This grey area will not appear in your presentation. Thank you.