National Cancer Prevention Month Events
February is Black History Month and National Cancer Prevention Month; these two moments are deeply connected. It’s time for us to join together and take a stand for a healthy future. A healthy future for all requires a dedicated focus on both cancer prevention and racial justice.
The themes for 2024 are:
- Week 1 – PFAS (aka “Forever Chemicals”),
- Week 2 – Childhood Cancer Prevention & Healthier Homes,
- Week 3 – Pollution, Climate, Health and Equity, and
- Week 4 – Pesticides.
We’ll be adding more events to the calendar below throughout the month. Check back frequently! Contact us if you’d like to add a cancer-prevention event to the calendar. Below are our top events and suggestions for how you can learn more and take action with each of the themes!
Week 1: PFAS
What Happens to Toxic “Forever Chemicals" After Disposal?
All Week
Back in 2022, Cancer Free Economy Network together with Sierra Club and Center for Health, Environment and Justice convened a virtual symposium to discuss the impact of toxic “forever chemicals” on communities living near, and downstream of, #PFASdisposal facilities.
Watch the Symposium opening video featuring keynote speaker Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health and the National Toxicology Program.
Why Do We Fight? PFAS Disposal Harms Communities.
All Week
Watch the PFAS Disposal Symposium Panel 1 recording connecting waste disposal, incineration, landfill issues, and the PFAS crisis to create an overall picture of the problem of PFAS disposal.
Panel 1 featured Sherry Costa Hanlon, whose community of Taunton, MA has been impacted by PFAS biosolids incineration, Tasha Stoiber, Environmental Working Group, on recent scientific reports, as well as Jose Luis Aguayo, the Senior Science Associate for CHEJ and Pamela Miller, Founder and Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT).
How Do We Win? Strategies for Organizing for Equitable PFAS Disposal
All Week
Watch Panel 2 which provided a broad overview of the history of organizing for equitable PFAS disposal.
The panel featured Jane Williams from California Communities Against Toxics, who discussed her vast experience organizing on this topic, and Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz from Earthjustice, who covered a lawsuit against the incineration of PFAS by the U.S. Department of Defense, along with Cheryl Sommer, United Congragations Metro East and Sherry Costa Hanlon, Clean Air Taunton.
Watch 'Burned' Film from NRDC and Actor, Producer Mark Ruffalo
All Week
Did you know that toxic PFAS is commonly put into firefighter’s gear leading to higher rates of cancer?
Check out the trailer and film “Burned,” a collaboration with the Last Call Foundation, Footpath Pictures, the NRDC and actor/producer Mark Ruffalo.
The film covers the true story of how Diane Cotter, the spouse of a firefighter, revealed significant exposure to forever chemicals affecting the fire community.
Where Are We Moving?
Models for PFAS Disposal and a new path forward
All Week
Watch the final PFAS Disposal Symposium Panel “Where Are We Moving? Models for PFAS Disposal and a new path forward” that focused on possible solutions to the PFAS Disposal crisis.
The panel featured Daniel Rosenberg, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Sonya Lunder, Sierra Club; and Doug Hatler, Chief Revenue Officer of 374Water.
Week 2: Childhood Cancer Prevention & Healthier Homes
CFE's Childhood Cancer Prevention & Healthier Homes Week Begins!
Sun, Feb 11
This week kicks off with social media posts featuring Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative leaders and supporters, as well as resources for childhood cancer prevention.
Thursday the 15th is also International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day!
Follow CFE on social to get involved!
Download the Childhood Cancer:
Cross-Sector Strategies for Prevention Report & Resources
All Week
Did you know that CFE has a whole page full of resources for cancer prevention?!
CFE even has a dedicated section to Childhood Cancer Prevention. Download the Childhood Cancer: Cross-Sector Strategies for Prevention Report, the CFE Childhood Cancer and Pesticides Fact Sheet and find links to more information and resources!
Watch CCPI's Share Your Story Prevent Childhood Cancer Playlist
All Week
ICYMI, the Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI) launched a campaign last September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month seeking to highlighting the disparities in children’s exposure to toxic substances.
During Childhood Cancer Prevention and Pesticides week, we’re re-amplifying the voices of individuals affected by childhood cancer, as well as hearing from businesses and organizations supporting the changes necessary to reduce the risks for childhood cancer.
Sign on in Support of Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA)
All Week
Thanks to Senator Corey Booker, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act was reintroduced February 3rd, 2023 as part of his package of bills to reform the U.S. food system.
From 1975 to 2017, leukemia incidence rates increased by roughly 34%, and incidence rates of brain and other central nervous system cancers increased 40%. Recognition is growing that hazardous exposures, including pesticides, have been linked to childhood cancer.
Sign on in support of PACTPA today at CFE member American Sustainable Business Network.
Watch The Safe & Healthy Cleaning Videos and Get Resources for a Healthier Home
All Week
Did you know that household cleaners face many challenges to their health and well-being at work, including insecure employment, low wages, stressful working conditions and exposure to harmful chemicals from cleaning and disinfecting products?
Visit CFE’s Household Cleaners’ Health and Safety Lab page to find helpful resources on cleaning vs. disinfecting, the harm of disinfectants, and how to find safer alternatives.
CFE’s Household Cleaners Health & Safety Lab participants created a video series to speak to employers about how they can protect the health of the household cleaners they employ, as well as the health of people living in the home, including vulnerable children. Watch and share the videos today!
Week 3: Pollution, Climate, Health and Equity
The Big Blind Spot: Addressing Petrochemicals
for Climate and Health
All Week
Back in November of 2022, The Big Blind Spot with Bev Thorpe, Consulting Program Manager, Networks and Advocacy at Clean Production Action was hosted by the Cancer Free Economy (CFE) Network, and facilitated by Audrey Tran Lam of the Climate, Toxics, Health and Equity (CTHE) group at CFE.
Anticancer Living Webinar
from Anticancer Lifestyle
Tues, Feb 20 | 7pm ET
Starting and Sustaining Anticancer Living, with Dr. Lorenzo Cohen, director of integrative medicine at MD Anderson, and his wife Alison Jefferies, M Ed and Health Coach.
They wrote the book Anticancer Living.
Find out more and register below!
Tattoo Inks, Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases from Collaborative for Health & Environment
Thurs, Feb 22 | 2pm ET
Nearly a third of adults in the US have at least one tattoo. Tattoo inks can contain a variety of toxic chemicals.
Join Dr. David Kriebel who will discuss the existing evidence on possible health effects of tattoos, including cancers, moderated by Dr. Rachel Massey, Senior Science and Policy Advisor, CHE.
This webinar is brought to you by Collaborative for Health and Environment in partnership with Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Cancer & Environment Network of SW PA (all CFE members!)
Spanish interpretation available.
Week 4: Pesticides
Sign on in Support of Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA)
All Week
Thanks to Senator Corey Booker, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act was reintroduced February 3rd, 2023 as part of his package of bills to reform the U.S. food system.
From 1975 to 2017, leukemia incidence rates increased by roughly 34%, and incidence rates of brain and other central nervous system cancers increased 40%. Recognition is growing that hazardous exposures, including pesticides, have been linked to childhood cancer.
Sign on in support of PACTPA today at CFE member American Sustainable Business Network.
Download the Pesticide
Exposure and Childhood Cancer Factsheet
All Week
Rates of cancer incidence among people under the age of 20 have increased 41% since 1975. Preconception exposures to either parent, as well as exposures during pregnancy, increase childhood cancer risk.
More than 15 EPA registered pesticides used in the US are classified as known, likely, or probable carcinogens by the International Agency on Cancer Research (IARC). Over 17 EPA registered pesticides used in the US have been flagged as potential carcinogens by scientists.
Find out more by downloading the Pesticide Exposures and Childhood Cancer Factsheet.
Sign on to Support a Ban on Chlorpyrifos
All Week
Chlorpyrifos is a dangerous neurotoxic pesticide that can cause permanent harm to the developing brains of children and cause permanent harm to those with persistent contact. EPA’s human health risk assessments acknowledge that exposures through food, water and air are putting people in danger.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan called a recent partial ban an “overdue step to protect public health.”
Unfortunately, the partial ban was overturned and the EPA has yet to step up and put action to their words.
Sign on to support a ban of Chlorpyrifos with Pesticide Action Network – a CFE non-member ally – below!
Watch ReGen Films A New Resistance
All Week
Glyphosate is the key “active” ingredient in the most commonly used herbicide in the world.
Due to the prevalence of “RoundUp” and the genetically engineered seeds developed by Monsanto, use of this chemical exploded during the late 1990’s until today, with no end in sight.
After all of these years of increasing use, this weedkiller has recently been the focus of one of the largest legal settlements in the history of the world at over $ 10 Billion, proving that it does indeed cause cancer.
A New Resistance explores what this means for you, your children, and the planet—starring John Paul DeJoria, Kaitlin Olsen and others.
More Events During National Cancer Prevention Month
World Cancer Day Activities and Resources
February 4
World Cancer Day is February 4th. See the World Cancer Day website for links to upcoming events and activities, download fact sheets, and explore how the world is spreading the word about cancer and the need for further efforts needed to curb the disease.
National Cancer Prevention Workshop
February 6 & 7
Join Less Cancer for National Cancer Prevention Day Virtual Workshop.
Every year, Less Cancer, and Founder Bill Couzens, brings together science and health professionals to educate the public about how many cancers can be prevented.
This year they will have live programming on the 6th with a virtual livestream on the 7th.