Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Most of us know somebody who has endured cancer, and it’s one of the most devastating ways to suffer. But what would you do if a large portion of  your neighborhood was diagnosed with cancer around the same time? It raises a very complicated question: Is cancer natural or is it caused by humans?

 

Dr. Sandra Steingraber has spent a majority of her career trying to answer that question. ​Born in 1959, Sandra Steingraber spent most of her life living in rural Illinois. She had been interested in organic agriculture and sustainability since she was a child, courtesy of her environmentally friendly parents. Unfortunately, when she was in her early 20’s, Steingraber developed bladder cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, she described Tazewell County, her hometown, as a “cancer cluster.” She wanted to understand how the poor air quality in her town was affecting the health of its residents. The National Cancer Institute defines a cancer cluster as “... the occurrence of a greater than expected number of cancer cases among a group of people in a defined geographic area over a specific time period. A cancer cluster may be suspected when people report that several family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers have been diagnosed with the same or related types of cancer” (Cancer Clusters). Tazewell County, to this day, has an above average amount of PM2.5 pollution, a very dangerous type of pollution which can lead to serious health issues.

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At the time of Sandra Steingraber’s diagnosis, several of her family members were also diagnosed with bladder cancer. One could assume that this specific type of cancer is due to genetics, but Steingraber was actually adopted, so she was not biologically related to her afflicted loved ones. After her cancer went into remission, she decided to dedicate her career to studying the links between air pollution and cancer. 

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After spending some time working in field research, Dr. Steingraber earned her doctorate in biology. In 1997, she solidified her place in the environmental field by releasing her book, Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment. In it, she really drives home the undisputed connection between human health and the conditions of our air. The book had positive critical responses and, in 2010, it was adapted into a full-length documentary. 

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Although Dr. Steingraber is a scientist through-and-through, she has also had a pretty interesting history of activism. In fact, she has been arrested 10 times over the course of her career. In 2013, she was arrested and charged with trespassing and spent 8 days in jail after protesting a salt cavern gas storage facility by blocking the entrance (Fernando). During her court trial, over 150 people showed up to support her. In an interview with NJ.com, after being questioned about the partnership between science and activism, Steingraber responded with, “As a scientist I realize data alone is not sufficient to stop the climate crisis. I’m happy when the data can speak – you know I’m pretty nerdy about it all – but the law doesn’t always align itself with the science” (Fighting Silent Killers).  One could argue whether or not she has been too extreme with her activism, but no matter the opinion, one thing stands true: Sandra Steingraber cares deeply about our environment. 

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In 2020, Scientists from Canada's Royal Ontario Museum discovered remnants of Osteosarcoma, a malignant form of cancer, in the fossils of dinosaurs (Burnett). It’s interesting that those same fossils are being burned and contributing to the air’s pollution. The very same pollution that is causing cancer in humans. The American Association for Cancer Research states that, “It’s no surprise that air pollution has been linked with lung cancer. A new study suggests that pollution is also associated with increased risk of mortality for several other types of cancer, including breast, liver, and pancreatic cancer” (Air Pollution). While there is no one cause for the existence of cancer cells, the monumental amount of evidence supporting the link between cancer and air pollution is too significant to ignore. Air pollution causes asthma, heart disease, and many other health issues, especially in vulnerable people, such as the elderly and children. Understanding the cause of these health issues is the first step. We must eliminate the possibility of developing cancer for something as simple as going outside. We need more people like Sandra Steingraber to ensure the best future for our beautiful planet and those who inhabit it. 

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Works Cited

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“Air Pollution May be Associated With Many Kinds of Cancer.” American Association of Cancer Research. www.aacr.org/patients-

caregivers/progress-against-cancer/air-pollution-associated-cancer

 

Burnett, Elena. Heard from “All Things Considered.” NPR. August 4, 2020. www.npr.org/2020/08/04/899060875/scientists-discover-malignant-cancer-in-a-dinosaur

 

Cancer Clusters. National Cancer Institute. 2018. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheet

 

Fernando, Noreyana. Assistant news editor for The Ithican. “Sandra Steingraber released from jail.” 2013. www.theithacan.org/news/sandra-steingraber-released-from-jail/

 

“Fighting Silent Killers: A Q&A with Dr. Sandra Steingraber.” 2021. NJ. nj.com/opinion/2021/05/fighting-silent-killers-a-qa-with-dr-sandra-steingraber.html

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