A hazardous society? Individual versus community responsibility in cancer prevention. Third annual Matthew B. Rosenhaus lecture

The greatest benefits in the immediate future will depend on personal action, whereby an individual controls his personal environment and that of his family. Such a personal cancer plan is essentially part of any national cancer programme and should gradually lead to a better understanding of personal responsibility in general environmental control. Unfortunately, until now there is little evidence, either in medical school, among doctors, or among public health workers, that they practice such control of their own lives and are therefore that much less capable of advising others. This does not mean that we should regard the entrance of new chemicals into the environment with equanimity, or lack of concern. It does, however, mean that scientists must be certain of their interpretation of the facts, that their priorities are correct, and that they are not bringing unnecessary and unjustified anxiety to many by overstatement or by expression of cancer risks in terms incomprehensible to the lay public. Unless we take these facts into consideration, legislation will be based on political and not scientific considerations. The scientists will have failed the public and may be subjected justifiably to irrational and emotional legislation and the uncontrolled stresses and strains that may arise in society resulting from misguided action.