Perceptions of Planetary Health and Sustainability Among Canadian Radiation Oncology Professionals: A National Survey.
13 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CAN.
- 2Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, CAN.
- 3Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, CAN.
- 4Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Health, Newmarket, CAN.
- 5Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, CAN.
- 6Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CAN.
- 7Division of Radiation Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, CAN.
- 8Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, CAN.
- 9Radiation Medicine Program, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Southlake Health, Newmarket, CAN.
- 10Division of Radiation Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, CAN.
- 11Department of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, CAN.
- 12Department of Radiotherapy, BC Cancer-Victoria, Victoria, CAN.
- 13Department of Radiotherapy, BC Cancer-Vancouver, Vancouver, CAN.
Abstract
Background
Climate change poses increasing risks to human health and healthcare delivery, including increased cancer burden, treatment disruptions, and exacerbation of comorbidities. Despite growing international attention to sustainable cancer care, Canadian data on professional perceptions, institutional practices, and priorities for action within radiation oncology remain limited.Objective
This study aimed to assess perceptions, knowledge, and workplace practices related to planetary health and sustainability among Canadian radiation oncology professionals.Methods
A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to Canadian radiation oncology professionals and trainees through the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) membership email list and departmental distribution across cancer centers. The 27-item questionnaire was developed based on previously validated climate perception and sustainability surveys, including SASSY and CHANT, and assessed perceptions of climate change and health impacts, workplace sustainability practices, and priorities for action. Responses were anonymous and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results
A total of 108 respondents completed the survey, including radiation oncologists, therapists, physicists, nurses, and trainees from nine provinces. Climate change was rated as a personal priority by 73% (n = 79/108) of respondents, and 75% (n = 81/108) agreed that it would increase cancer incidence. Support for prioritizing low-carbon, low-waste cancer care was high (77%; n = 83/108). However, only 34% (n = 37/108) reported the presence of a sustainability initiative at their cancer center, and 62% (n = 67/108) felt sustainability was not a workplace priority. Strong support was expressed for CARO-led initiatives, including member education on planetary health (77%; n = 83/108), sustainability recommendations for clinical practice (76%; n = 82/108), and evaluation of radiation oncology's carbon footprint (69%; n = 75/108). Interest in reducing CARO ASM emissions was high, with 58% (n = 63/108) supporting at least a 30% reduction.Conclusion
While Canadian radiation oncology professionals recognize the relevance of climate change to cancer care and support action in sustainability, institutional implementation remains limited. Future work should evaluate strategies to engage broader professional groups and increase awareness and participation in sustainability initiatives in radiation oncology.
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BibTeX
@article{quon2026perceptions,
title = {{Perceptions of Planetary Health and Sustainability Among Canadian Radiation Oncology Professionals: A National Survey.}},
author = {Stephanie Quon and Philip Wong and Zahra Kassam and Natalie Rozanec and Kristopher Dennis and Adam Gabara and Conrad Bayley and Daria Comsa and Joanne Alfieri and David Palma and Isabelle Vallieres and Shilo Lefresne},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116941},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928945},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Perceptions of Planetary Health and Sustainability Among Canadian Radiation Oncology Professionals: A National Survey.
AU - Stephanie Quon
AU - Philip Wong
AU - Zahra Kassam
AU - Natalie Rozanec
AU - Kristopher Dennis
AU - Adam Gabara
AU - Conrad Bayley
AU - Daria Comsa
AU - Joanne Alfieri
AU - David Palma
AU - Isabelle Vallieres
AU - Shilo Lefresne
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/25
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116941
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928945
AB - Background Climate change poses increasing risks to human health and healthcare delivery, including increased cancer burden, treatment disruptions, and exacerbation of comorbidities. Despite growing international attention to sustainable cancer care, Canadian data on professional perceptions, institutional practices, and priorities for action within radiation oncology remain limited.Objective This study aimed to assess perceptions, knowledge, and workplace practices related to planetary health and sustainability among Canadian radiation oncology professionals.Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to Canadian radiation oncology professionals and trainees through the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) membership email list and departmental distribution across cancer centers. The 27-item questionnaire was developed based on previously validated climate perception and sustainability surveys, including SASSY and CHANT, and assessed perceptions of climate change and health impacts, workplace sustainability practices, and priorities for action. Responses were anonymous and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results A total of 108 respondents completed the survey, including radiation oncologists, therapists, physicists, nurses, and trainees from nine provinces. Climate change was rated as a personal priority by 73% (n = 79/108) of respondents, and 75% (n = 81/108) agreed that it would increase cancer incidence. Support for prioritizing low-carbon, low-waste cancer care was high (77%; n = 83/108). However, only 34% (n = 37/108) reported the presence of a sustainability initiative at their cancer center, and 62% (n = 67/108) felt sustainability was not a workplace priority. Strong support was expressed for CARO-led initiatives, including member education on planetary health (77%; n = 83/108), sustainability recommendations for clinical practice (76%; n = 82/108), and evaluation of radiation oncology's carbon footprint (69%; n = 75/108). Interest in reducing CARO ASM emissions was high, with 58% (n = 63/108) supporting at least a 30% reduction.Conclusion While Canadian radiation oncology professionals recognize the relevance of climate change to cancer care and support action in sustainability, institutional implementation remains limited. Future work should evaluate strategies to engage broader professional groups and increase awareness and participation in sustainability initiatives in radiation oncology.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -