The Impact of Climate Change on Cancer Surgery and Healthcare Delivery: A Review of Environmental and Surgical Challenges

Purpose

More than 10 million annual global cancer deaths are exacerbated by the impact of climate change and environmental determinants of health. This brief report provides a summary of and mitigating recommendations for the complex intersection between climate change and surgical cancer care.

Methods

A review of scientific literature from the last 10 years was conducted to assess the current impact of climate change on cancer care with a focus on surgical interventions. Studies with an impact score of 6 or higher and the keywords of climate change, extreme weather, cancer care, and surgery were reviewed. After removing duplicates and excluded studies, 30 studies remained and were reviewed by two reviewers.

Results

Climate-related factors impacting surgical care result in a myriad of healthcare impacts, including disruption of services, impact on patient outcomes and survival, as well as an overburdening of hospital and surgical services.

Conclusion

Climate change, including extreme weather events, threatens cancer surgical care and delivery by exacerbating comorbidities, disrupting healthcare systems, and increasing disparities in cancer care. Climate change is a burgeoning threat to global health, cancer care, patients, and communities.