Cancer & Environment Forum 2025

The third Cancer and Environment Forum, hosted by Columbia University, included sessions on PFAS chemicals, plastics, and how to take environmental health histories in the clinic.

cancer and environment forum 2025In 2025, we continued our partnership with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University and hosted a one-day Cancer & Environment Forum. In addition to sharing the latest evidence, the forum aimed to provide guidance for healthcare professionals across different specialties, including obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, primary care, and internal medicine. For example, speakers discussed how to incorporate questions about environmental exposures into patient health histories and what to do if patients express concerns about PFAS or "forever chemicals." Attendees also heard from researchers and clinicians about what patients need to know about reducing exposures to chemicals in their everyday environment.

Overview

When: Friday, November 14, 2025, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Target audience: Clinicians, nurses, community leaders, public health practitioners (CME credits available)

Topics covered:

  • What We Know about Environmental Exposures and Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics: A review of evidence of environmental exposures with a focus on epidemiologic research of endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact across the lifecourse.
  • What We Know about Environmental Exposures and Primary Care & Internal Medicine: Exploring approaches for addressing exposure to common carcinogens like air pollution and metals and how physicians can play a role in reducing patient exposures.
  • How Cancer Care Providers Can Address Patient Concerns: This panel will focus on how providers can address patient concerns with accurate information and guide discussions about risk reduction, survivorship and long term health.

Program and Speakers

Cancer & Environment Forum 2025 Flyer

Resources

Watch a recording of the event