Kamal Saini, Global Head, Oncology Therapeutic Expertise at Fortrea, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Cancer occurance and outcomes are not determined by genetics alone. Our lifetime of exposures (“exposome”) – to the environments we live in, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the infections we are exposed to, and the social conditions that shape our lives – all play a critical role. Our body keeps score.
Our new Book Chapter “The Future of Exposomics: A Pathway to Reducing Cancer Disparities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries” was recently published in the book “The Exposome in Cancer Disparities“, edited by Professor Zodwa Dlamini, and published by Academic Press (Elsevier).
Key insights include:
- Environmental exposures matter. Air pollution, hazardous chemicals, and pesticide exposure continue to contribute significantly to cancer risk.
- Infectious diseases remain major drivers. Viruses such as HPV, Hepatitis B and C, EBV, and HIV disproportionately increase cancer burden in many regions.
- Social determinants amplify risk. Poverty, limited healthcare access, poor nutrition, and higher tobacco and alcohol use create conditions where preventable cancers become more prevalent.
- Climate change, urbanization, and industrialization are reshaping exposure patterns. These forces can intensify environmental risks and widen existing health inequities.
The chapter highlights an important shift in thinking: instead of examining risk factors in isolation, we need to understand the cumulative impact of lifelong exposures and their interaction with social and economic realities.
Addressing cancer disparities in LMICs will require:
- Stronger prevention strategies
- Earlier detection and screening programs
- Investment in healthcare infrastructure
- Evidence-based policy reforms
- Global collaboration across research, public health, and healthcare systems
The exposome offers a powerful lens for identifying vulnerable populations, understanding cumulative risk, and designing interventions that advance health equity.
Reducing cancer disparities is not only a healthcare challenge – it is a social, environmental, and global development priority.”
Authors: Zodwa Dlamini, Thulo Molefi, Marco Durini, Ashok Deena, Niti Raizada, Kamal Saini, Richard Khanyile
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