The Relationship Between Climate Change and Breast Cancer and Its Management and Preventative Implications in South Africa

Pululu Sexton Mahasa (), Muambangu Jean Paul Milambo, Sibusiso Frank Nkosi, Geofrey Mukwada, Martin Munene Nyaga and Solomon Gebremariam Tesfamichael
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Pululu Sexton Mahasa: Division of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Muambangu Jean Paul Milambo: Division of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Sibusiso Frank Nkosi: Division of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Geofrey Mukwada: Department of Geography, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
Martin Munene Nyaga: Next Generation Sequencing Unit, Division of Virology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Solomon Gebremariam Tesfamichael: Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-32

Abstract: This review aims to explore the implications of climate change for breast cancer management and prevention, with a focus on global strategies and interventions that can be applied in various contexts, including South Africa. Climate change has emerged as a significant global health concern, with far-reaching implications for various diseases, including cancer. This systematic review aims to synthesise epidemiological research examining the relationship between climate change and the incidence of breast cancer. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using main search terms, including “breast cancer,” “climate change,” “air pollution,” “water pollution,” “global warming,” and “greenhouse effect,” supplemented by the general term “breast” cancer across multiple databases. Our analysis identified studies that link environmental changes—such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased exposure to pollutants—with breast cancer risk. Our findings highlight a potential association between climate-related factors, including heat stress, air and water pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and lifestyle changes influenced by environmental shifts, and the epidemiology of breast cancer. This review underscores the need for an integrated approach that incorporates climate science into public health strategies to mitigate breast cancer risk. By elucidating these connections, we aim to inform policymakers and healthcare professionals about the importance of addressing climate change not just as an environmental issue, but as a pressing determinant of health that may exacerbate cancer incidence, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms and to develop targeted interventions that can address both climate change and its potential health impacts.

Keywords: breast cancer; climate change; UV radiation; rising temperature; air pollution; endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); breast cancer; pesticides; phthalates; p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); p,p’dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE); 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; 2,3,7,8-tetrachloridibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or Dioxin); polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); oral contraceptive pills; resveratrol (RES) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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