Posted on January 28, 2026

Cancer Prevention Month is a reminder that while not all cancers are preventable, many are. This year, prevention must move beyond awareness alone and toward accountability, action, and policy change. Few cancer risks illustrate this more clearly than asbestos.

Asbestos remains a known, proven carcinogen. It causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and other deadly diseases. There is no safe level of exposure, and yet asbestos continues to be present in buildings, products, and disaster sites across the United States. These cancers are not accidents. They are preventable.

This February, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is focusing on what prevention truly requires in 2026: transparency, enforcement of existing laws, and decisive action to end asbestos use once and for all.

Our Focus Areas for Cancer Prevention Month:

  1. Awareness
    •  From older federal buildings to natural disasters and redevelopment projects, the risks of asbestos exposure are increasing. Prevention means planning, enforcing safeguards, and protecting workers, first responders, and the public before exposure occurs—not after.
  2. Education
    • Accurate, science-based information saves lives. We provide clear guidance on how exposure occurs and the necessary protections required before renovation, demolition, or disaster response. Knowledge is only effective when it leads to safer decisions.
  3. Advocacy
    • Even in 2026, asbestos is still not banned in the US. ADAO remains committed to advancing the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act and strengthening EPA enforcement. Cancer prevention requires eliminating the source, not managing the fallout.
  4. Community
    • Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a preventable loss. We continue to amplify the voices of those impacted by asbestos-caused diseases through shared stories and work alongside partners who understand that prevention is both a public-health and moral responsibility.

ADAO is proud to collaborate with organizations including the International Association of Fire Fighters, GO2 for Lung Cancer, the Environmental Information Association, and many others who share our commitment to eliminating asbestos-caused disease.

This Cancer Prevention Month, we have one clear message: prevention is not passive. It requires transparency, enforcement, and the courage to act. Together, we can build a future where no one is exposed to a deadly carcinogen that has been known and ignored for far too long.

Linda Reinstein