Surgeon warns that climate change can disrupt cancer care – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
A study of lung cancer patients recovering from surgery revealed hospital stays stretched nearly two days longer during wildfires compared to non-wildfire periods.[1] Such disruptions underscore a growing concern among medical experts: climate change is interfering with critical cancer care timelines, potentially worsening outcomes for vulnerable patients. Shaneeta Johnson, a surgeon at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, detailed these threats in a recent paper and public statements, emphasizing how floods, storms, and blazes lead to missed appointments and facility shutdowns.[2][3]
Direct Disruptions from Intensifying Weather Events
Wildfires, floods, and storms have closed roads and hospitals, preventing cancer patients from reaching treatment centers. Early detection and adherence to rigid schedules remain essential for effective cancer management, yet these events force delays that allow tumors to advance. In one example, California wildfires halted radiotherapy sessions, compromising continuity of care.
Shaneeta Johnson explained the immediacy of such interruptions. “So, for instance, if there’s a wildfire, and you are displaced from your home, or the hospital where you are receiving care is no longer functional, that has an immediate and a definite impact on your cancer treatment.”[2] Hurricanes like Helene and Milton in 2024 damaged infrastructure across the U.S., stranding patients and disrupting supply chains for essentials like IV fluids.
Heightened Risks for Patients Undergoing Surgery
Cancer patients often enter surgery with compromised health, making them especially susceptible to climate-related stressors. Air pollution from wildfires, including carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde, exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular strain, raising complication rates during and after procedures. Extreme heat further burdens weakened hearts and lungs.
Johnson noted this added peril. “That means that no matter what surgery we are performing, they are at an increased risk for complications, simply because they have been exposed to air pollution and other impacts of climate change.”[2] Postoperative exposure to wildfire smoke correlated with poorer survival among over 400,000 non-small cell lung cancer cases, with risks persisting up to a year after discharge.[3]
| Climate Event | Key Impact on Cancer Care | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfires | Prolonged hospital stays, increased complications | Lung cancer patients averaged 9.4 days vs. 7.5 days post-surgery[1] |
| Hurricanes/Floods | Facility closures, supply shortages | Hurricane Maria caused nationwide IV fluid deficits[4] |
| Extreme Heat/Air Pollution | Worsened perioperative frailty | PM2.5 exposure elevates infection risks during recovery[3] |
Broader Evidence from Global Research
Reviews of recent literature confirm climate change as a burgeoning threat to surgical oncology worldwide. More than 10 million annual cancer deaths face exacerbation from environmental factors like pollution and weather extremes, which overburden hospitals and delay diagnoses. Marginalized communities, often in climate-vulnerable areas, experience amplified disparities, with events like Hurricane Katrina linked to long-term declines in breast cancer survival.
Studies also highlight radiation therapy vulnerabilities, where power outages and evacuations increase recurrence risks. Globally, nearly 3.6 billion people reside in high-risk zones, where floods and heatwaves compound chemotherapy side effects like impaired thermoregulation. Wildfires not only displace patients but contaminate air, water, and soil, challenging recovery for those with limited mobility.[5]
Strategies to Safeguard Care Amid Rising Risks
Experts advocate proactive measures to shield cancer care from these disruptions. Patients should maintain accessible health records and map alternative treatment routes during forecasts of severe weather. Healthcare providers must develop robust emergency plans, including annual drills and contingency protocols.
- Integrate climate risk assessments into preoperative evaluations using tools from NOAA and EPA.
- Expand telehealth and home health services to minimize travel disruptions.
- Invest in resilient infrastructure, such as flood-resistant facilities and renewable energy microgrids.
- Prioritize equitable resources for underserved areas through targeted funding.
Johnson stressed the need for such preparations to ensure continuity. Broader efforts, like reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint through sustainable practices, promise dual benefits for patients and the planet.[3]
As wildfires burn hotter and storms strike more fiercely, the intersection of climate change and cancer care demands immediate attention. Without adaptive strategies, life-and-death treatment windows will narrow further, underscoring the urgency for systemic resilience in oncology.