Environmental Risk Factors: The role of oncology nurses in assessing and reducing the risk for exposure.

ENVIRONMENTAL exposure prevention; RISK factors of environmental exposure; ANTINEOPLASTIC agents; ARSENIC poisoning; ONCOLOGY nursing; CARCINOGENS; ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring; HEALTH education; LUNG tumors; NURSES; PESTICIDES; PUBLIC health; RADIOACTIVE pollution of the atmosphere; RADON; OCCUPATIONAL hazards; ENVIRONMENTAL exposure; OCCUPATIONAL roles; CONTINUING education units; EARLY detection of cancer; DISEASE risk factors

BACKGROUND: The multifaceted origins of cancer are related to the dynamic interface between the human body and the environment. It is estimated that as many as 60% of cancers arise from environmental exposures. OBJECTIVES: This article describes potential risks for exposure to radon, arsenic, pesticides, and antineoplastic agents, which can lead to the development of cancer. METHODS: The authors performed a review of the literature on environmental exposures and their relationship to the development of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]