New research published in journal Environmental research: climate found that extreme heat is already impacting cancer patients’ ability to manage their daily lives, access care, and treatment-related decisions.
The study, led by researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rosenstiel School of Ocean, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, and School of Nursing and Health Research, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, highlights the need to incorporate environmental risks into cancer treatment plans, from clinical conversations and appointment planning to caregiver coaching and community support.
The study, based on in-depth interviews with cancer patients in South Florida, which is warming faster than many parts of the country, provides an early look at the challenges that health systems in other regions may soon face as extreme heat becomes more common around the world.
What we hear is that heat is affecting almost every part of people’s daily lives. It affects when people go out, whether they follow their doctor’s advice, how connected they feel, and how much they spend just to feel safe and comfortable. ”
Dr. Kilan C. Ashad-Bishop, Sylvester and Rosenstiel researcher and lead author of the study
Some patients delayed or skipped medical appointments to avoid exposure to heat. Some people reduce physical activity, social interactions, or important errands. For those already dealing with treatment side effects, fatigue and financial burdens, the heat was another factor limiting options.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, extreme heat refers to periods of significantly warmer weather and often higher humidity than average for a particular location and time. As global temperatures continue to rise, we can expect hot seasons to become longer and extremely hot days to become more frequent.
And with a particularly strong El Niño approaching, climate experts are predicting that 2027 could be the warmest year on record on Earth.
Despite growing evidence that environmental conditions pose health risks, few studies have focused specifically on how extreme heat affects cancer patients. To address this gap, researchers looked directly at the people experiencing it.
The qualitative study, titled “When It Gets Hot, I Retreat,” included interviews with 20 adults across 18 zip codes in South Florida, one of the most heat-exposed areas in the nation, and all participants had a history of cancer diagnosis or treatment and described how heat impacts their health, access to care, finances, and social lives.
Interviews were conducted in English and Haitian Creole to document the experiences of the entire community and focused on how heat stress exacerbates existing health and economic challenges.
Participants described adapting in creative ways, including limiting outdoor activities, planning errands during cooler times, staying indoors, and relying more on air conditioning. However, these adaptations often involved trade-offs that affected health, independence, and quality of life.
Researchers have found that rather than triggering a sudden crisis, heat strain can often act gradually through a series of small compromises to quietly shape long-term health.
“We’ve seen people in South Florida make as constant a calculation as heat stress,” Dr. Ashad Bishop said. “They’re weighing comfort and consideration, safety and necessity. Those decisions add up.”
“This is not just a weather advisory story,” said Dr. Sophia George, a Sylvester researcher, associate professor in the Miller School’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and senior author of the study. “It’s about recognizing heat as a health stressor and helping patients develop a heat management plan as part of their daily care.”
sauce:
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Reference magazines:
Ashad Bishop, KCet al. (2026). “When it comes to heat, I retreat”: Effects of heat and adaptive practices in cancer patients. Environmental research: climate. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5295/ae70d3. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2752-5295/ae70d3
