In conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the US Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), it is our hope that working together we can help stop cancers caused by environmental exposures in their earliest stages or before they begin.

Details are included below, but the basic approach involves the completion of selected no-cost online CME opportunities developed by the ATSDR (specific to your specialty), The objective of the Environmental Cancer Program is to help you with identification of exposed patients, appropriate diagnostics, and treatment plans for those high-risk individuals. You are also provided contact information for specialty centers, if needed for referrals or consultations.

Additionally, if you are a member of a BCBSM “PGIP PO”, and are a primary care physician, a pulmonologist, a pediatrician, oncologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, or neurologist - as defined by BCBS - Blue Cross will pay you an honorarium upon completion of the CME portion of the program.

The Program for Primary Care Physicians, Pulmonologists, Pediatricians, and Oncologists ($250 Honorarium):

Recent data suggests that over 30% of lung cancers are caused by environmental agents AFTER controlling for smoking.

Because Michigan has a high rate of lung and bronchus cancers and because three environmental carcinogens – asbestos, arsenic and radon, which can have an additive, synergistic or independent effect on tobacco-caused lung cancer - are common in Michigan, we’ve developed a program to help identify patients at risk.

The ATSDR educational modules included in the program for these specialties are: Taking An Exposure History, Asbestos Toxicity, Arsenic Toxicity, and Radon Toxicity

Additional Modules for Pediatricians ($250 Honorarium):

Beginning in January 2012, BCBSM is offering an additional honorarium to pediatricians that complete the Taking a Pediatric Exposure History, and Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit Training modules, 

The Program for Neurologists ($400 Honorarium):                          

Chronic low blood levels of Arsenic, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, and Lead can have profound effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. To increase proficiency in identifying high-risk populations, the ATSDR educational modules included in the program for neurologists are: Taking An Exposure History, Arsenic Toxicity, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, and Lead Toxicity.

The Program for Obstetrician-Gynecologists ($250 Honorarium):

Obstetrician-Gynecologists are in the unique position of being able to influence the health of a woman and her unborn child. Enhancing awareness of the effect of environmental toxins benefits both. For this specialty, complete the three modules that include Taking an Exposure History, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, and Lead Toxicity.

We anticipate that participation in this program will aid in identifying and monitoring high-risk patients and decrease the incidence of cancer in Michigan.

For questions, comments, or help with any aspect of this program, please contact Cynthia Noraian at noraianc@karmanos.org (248-336-2310).