There was a buzz in the air last night at Showplace Peterborough as Dr. Devra Davis presented the annual David Sheperd Family Lecture: “The Secret History of the War on Cancer.”

The buzz emanated from cell phones and WiFi devices. Or, more specifically, from the current debates – both local and global – surrounding these technologies. Not one to shy away from controversy, Dr. Davis tackled questions regarding the health affects of microwave radiation, cell phone use, wireless technology, as well as the widespread use of carcinogens in our society and around the world. Her tough stance and pragmatic approach garnered several rounds of spontaneous applause.

“We don’t have the option of waiting for proof,” she proclaimed. “We need to take sensible precautions on agents and devices that we suspect cause cancer. This is not what we do now.”

Dr. Davis spoke with and from authority. She is the former director of the Center for Environmental Oncology of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and the founder of the Environmental Health Trust. As a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, she was among the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. She has received awards from the American Cancer Society, the Euro-American Women's Council and the United Nations for her work in cancer research and awareness. Her book, The Secret History of the War on Cancer is forming the basis for national cancer policy revisions by the South African Cancer Society, and is being studied at major schools of public health, including Harvard, Emory, and Tulane University.

The major theme of the night was one of prevention. “In fighting the war on cancer, we have missed our aim,” she claimed. “We have been fighting for a cure, but should have been fighting for prevention.”

Dr. Davis believes that there are far too many human made cancer causing agents in our world. “Genes give us the gun,” she said, “but the environment pulls the trigger.”

Her knowledge and experience were notable as she addressed a host of cancer related issues. She took aim at the Canadian government for considering the re-opening of asbestos mines in Ontario, despite the global ban on Asbestos, as well as at the overuse of medical x-rays and CT scans and the common use of various carcinogens in household products.

But it was her views on microwave radiation – in particular, cell phones and WiFi that stirred the crowd. With current debate going on in local school boards, and throughout the community, on the use of wireless technology in primary schools, many audience members pressed her for her opinion.

Barbera Sheperd represented the Sheperd family at the lecture and was excited to see the energy of the crowd. “One of the purposes of this lecture is to help assist change in our society. And it looked, tonight, like Dr. Davis was doing just that.”

President Steven Franklin also noticed the enthusiasm present in the theatre. “I’m very impressed,” he said. “This is an outstanding example of Trent reaching deep into the community and the community coming to Trent. The Sheperd Lecture delivers very high calibre speakers.”

The question and answer segment of the Lecture went overtime as audience members pushed for more and more information. A reception held after the lecture was awash in excited talk about the evening’s presentation.

The Sheperd Lecture aims to introduce Trent students and community members to leading speakers on environmental global issues and to significantly build on the University’s reputation for its Environmental Science/Studies Centre of Knowledge.

The Lectureship Series is supported by the annual income available from the Trent University David Sheperd Family Lecture Series Endowment Fund.

Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2010.