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CHEMICALS THAT MAY BE LINKED TO BREAST CANCER:
Pesticides and Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and the home. DDT and related
pesticides were used extensively until Rachel Carson raised awareness of their potential
dangers in her compelling book, Silent Spring.
PCB's were used in electrical equipment until production was banned in the 1970's.
Industrial areas remain contaminated. Some of these products are still in use and others
sit in garbage dumps releasing PCB's and contaminating the water supply.
Dioxins are byproducts of certain industrial processes and are released into the air
when products made of polyvinylchlorine plastics are incinerated.
PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
These carcinogenic chemicals are products of combustion. They are found in a wide array
of places -- from air pollution to cigarette smoke to charred meats.
Parabens
Many types of parabens are used as preservatives in antiperspirants, shampoos, lotions,
cosmetics. They may also be used as preservative in food. Studies have been
demonstrated the presence of this chemical in breast tumors.
Bisphenol-A is found in polycarbonate plastic, the type used for many types of food
containers, reusable water bottles, and baby bottles.
Phthalates are found in some plastics, plastic wraps, cosmetics, and toiletries.
Perchloroethylene is the chemical used for dry cleaning clothes.
Benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene are solvents used in manufacturing.
Acrylamide is formed when foods high in carbohydrate are cooked. It is found in French
fries, potato chips, breads and other foods.
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS:
Smoking as a teenager may increase later risk for breast cancer. Studies linking smoking
to breast cancer suggest an association, but more research needs to be done.
Radiation from necessary medical tests is low, and the benefits of getting x-rays is
believed to outweigh the risks. Exposure to higher levels of radiation from occupational
exposure and from the testing or use of nuclear weapons increases breast cancer
incidence.
Night Work has been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Women who work at night
produce lower levels of the hormone melatonin which is thought to inhibit tumor growth.
Production of this hormone normally occurs at night because it is stimulated by darkness
and inhibited by exposure to light.
Pesticides and Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and the home. DDT and related
pesticides were used extensively until Rachel Carson raised awareness of their potential
dangers in her compelling book, Silent Spring.
PCB's were used in electrical equipment until production was banned in the 1970's.
Industrial areas remain contaminated. Some of these products are still in use and others
sit in garbage dumps releasing PCB's and contaminating the water supply.
Dioxins are byproducts of certain industrial processes and are released into the air
when products made of polyvinylchlorine plastics are incinerated.
PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
These carcinogenic chemicals are products of combustion. They are found in a wide array
of places -- from air pollution to cigarette smoke to charred meats.
Parabens
Many types of parabens are used as preservatives in antiperspirants, shampoos, lotions,
cosmetics. They may also be used as preservative in food. Studies have been
demonstrated the presence of this chemical in breast tumors.
Bisphenol-A is found in polycarbonate plastic, the type used for many types of food
containers, reusable water bottles, and baby bottles.
Phthalates are found in some plastics, plastic wraps, cosmetics, and toiletries.
Perchloroethylene is the chemical used for dry cleaning clothes.
Benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene are solvents used in manufacturing.
Acrylamide is formed when foods high in carbohydrate are cooked. It is found in French
fries, potato chips, breads and other foods.
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS:
Smoking as a teenager may increase later risk for breast cancer. Studies linking smoking
to breast cancer suggest an association, but more research needs to be done.
Radiation from necessary medical tests is low, and the benefits of getting x-rays is
believed to outweigh the risks. Exposure to higher levels of radiation from occupational
exposure and from the testing or use of nuclear weapons increases breast cancer
incidence.
Night Work has been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Women who work at night
produce lower levels of the hormone melatonin which is thought to inhibit tumor growth.
Production of this hormone normally occurs at night because it is stimulated by darkness
and inhibited by exposure to light.
We do not know what causes breast cancer, but it is generally believed that chemicals
we are exposed to contribute to risk. They are in the soil, in the air, and in our drinking
water and food. Some of these chemicals, like PCB's and DDT, persist in the evironment
even though they were banned decades ago. More research is needed to determine
the effects of the many chemicals we are exposed to that mimic estrogen, accumulate in
breast tissue, or cause mammary tumors in animals.
Reducing environmental risk.
we are exposed to contribute to risk. They are in the soil, in the air, and in our drinking
water and food. Some of these chemicals, like PCB's and DDT, persist in the evironment
even though they were banned decades ago. More research is needed to determine
the effects of the many chemicals we are exposed to that mimic estrogen, accumulate in
breast tissue, or cause mammary tumors in animals.
Reducing environmental risk.
Environmental Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
More Information:
Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer Vassar ERBC Project
Environmental Pollutants and Breast Cancer
JG Brody, KB Moysich, O Humblet, KR Attfield, GP Beehler, RA Rudel
Cancer; June 15, 2007
Breast Cancer Options www.BreastCancerOptions.org
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov
Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer Vassar ERBC Project
Environmental Pollutants and Breast Cancer
JG Brody, KB Moysich, O Humblet, KR Attfield, GP Beehler, RA Rudel
Cancer; June 15, 2007
Breast Cancer Options www.BreastCancerOptions.org
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov