The Ramazzini Institute
for Occupational and Environmental Health Research   

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Who Are We?

The Selikoff Fund
for Environmental and Occupational Cancer Research

     Dr. Irving J. Selikoff – the physician and scientist who led the worldwide struggle to prevent exposure to asbestos – created this Fund to continue his program of applying the new discoveries in molecular biology for the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer and other diseases associated with the work and community environments. More than a decade ago, he wrote these words to describe the mission of his fund:

Seeds of Cancer In The Workplace

     “Seeds of cancer are planted in the workplace – through changes in the cells of our bodies made by asbestos, benzene, chromates, radiation, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, wood dust and many other agents found at work. Government agencies, industry, unions and environmental groups are working harder to bring old technologies under control, thereby reducing these risks. At the same time, with public and private funds, scientists and engineers in universities and industrial centers are creating ways to reduce exposure in the future.

     “Even if government does a perfect job – and industry, labor and environmental groups fully cooperate – the risks of cancer from seeds already sown cannot be eliminated.

     “By the time an agent is discovered and under control, millions of workers may have been exposed. Stopping cancer by stopping exposure may be too late. Tens of thousands will die of cancer because of seeds planted decades ago, unless those seeds can be destroyed. Their families may share the same risk because of contamination brought home, because of reproductive changes made by the same agents, and because of hazardous wastes in the air, water and on the land of their communities.

     “It is now possible to consider how to repair cancer-causing damage – to prevent cancer from later appearing even though people have been exposed in the past.

     “Death rates from cancer are not decreasing. More cases of cancer occur each year. Many – such as the 3000 annual cases of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the body – are untreatable. Others have “cures” for short periods of time. Adding just five years more life is considered “success” for all cancers.

Hope Throughout Worldwide Cooperation

     "The problem is massive, so great that some might ignore the hope reborn each day as new information is found in laboratories and clinics throughout the world.

     "Cancers grow from cells that have been damaged. The very long periods of time it takes for this damage to develop and take root in healthy people - 15 to 45 years in adults, shorter periods for children - creates an opportunity to either repair the damage or destroy the seeded cells. The task is made easier the earlier the damage is detected.

     "New discoveries have been made about how molecules in the cells can be changed and how they repair themselves, or can be repaired, and how to detect damaged cells. These discoveries may mean treatments that were never possible before.

     "Cancer research often requires genetic testing. Developing special ethical, legal and social protections - beyond existing laws - are an integral part of our program."

- Irving J. Selikoff, MD

Help us destroy the seeds of cancer and other diseases, and pursue more successful, ethical ways to treat them. Contribute to the Selikoff Fund of The Ramazzini Institute.