Introduction: Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among individuals
aged 1 to 19 years. There is growing interest in understanding the importance of environmental
factors and lifestyle in the onset, progression, and outcomes throughout the entire cancer journey,
including survival. This study describes the environmental health profile of pediatric cancer
patients during active treatment.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 97 patients and their
families between March and May 2025, attended at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical
Hospital (Murcia) in the inpatient ward and/or pediatric oncohematology outpatient clinic. A
personalized digital survey was conducted face-to-face. It included five spheres: home/family
environment; environmental; occupational; lifestyle; participatory.
Results: Home: 44.4% female. Mean age 8.84 years (SD 4.61). Pets at home (49.5%). Main
water source: 66% plastic bottles; 23.7% osmosis. Swimming pool use: monthly or more (28%).
Environmental: Presence of tobacco smokers (38.1%), marijuana smokers (10.3%), pesticide use
in home/garden (48.4%); poor air quality in the neighborhood (25%). High-risk chemical hobbies
(20.6%). Occupational: 48% of parents work in environments with chemical/biological risk.
Lifestyle: ≥2 servings of fresh fruit per day (53.6%). Red meat ≤ once a week (21.7%). Daily
outdoor activities (22.6%), ≥2 hours/day screen time (71.7%).
Discussion: So far, few modifiable prognostic factors have been reported. The findings reveal an
environmental health profile with areas for improvement that could help reduce treatment-related
mortality and improve outcomes.
Conclusion: Integrating environmental risk assessment during the active treatment phase could
help strengthen immune surveillance, reduce treatment-related mortality, and improve long-term
outcomes in childhood cancer survivors.