The International Risk Podcast Episode 253: The International Risks Associated with Oncology and Global Health Equity with Dr. Joachim Schüz
This week on The International Risk Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Joachim Schüz for a critical conversation on why cancer prevention must be treated as a global systems risk, not simply a medical challenge. Dominic and Joachim explore how exposure to toxins, industrial expansion, regulatory failure, and political inertia are reshaping the global cancer burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
They unpack the paradox: over 40 percent of cancers are preventable, yet only 5 percent of global cancer funding goes to prevention. From air pollution and pesticides to trade deals and workplace standards, they examine how commercial incentives and political short-termism continue to undercut basic prevention measures, and how these choices quietly externalise cancer risks across borders.
As cancer risk increasingly mirrors patterns of inequality, Joachim reflects on the intersecting roles of governments, multinationals, and international institutions in addressing the social, occupational, and environmental conditions that shape who gets sick, who gets treatment, and who is left behind.
Dr. Joachim Schüz is the Head of the Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization’s leading cancer research body. With over three decades of experience, he has played a central role in mapping the links between environmental exposures, structural injustice, and cancer incidence. His work challenges us to rethink cancer prevention not only as a public good, but as a question of long-term strategy, international responsibility, and ethical governance.
The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and a partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.
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