Breast Cancer and the Environment

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition believes that far too many women are needlessly diagnosed with breast cancer.  Over the past several decades the breast cancer rate has increased dramatically, from an estimated 1 in 20 in 1940 to more than 1 in 8 today.

Surprisingly, only 5-10% of breast cancer diagnoses are associated with a family history of the disease, with another 15-20% of breast cancers linked to lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise.

This leaves over 70% of breast cancers largely unexplained.

Nonetheless, an increasing body of evidence links toxins found in common consumer products and services, as well as manufacturing and other sources, with the development of the disease.

According to a review of existing research on breast cancer and the environment, we have cause to be concerned with many chemicals and ingredients found in our air, water, food, consumer and industrial products, and services.  Specifically, existing research has revolved around several categories of pollutants and chemicals:  polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), dioxin and organic solvents (see database for further explanation).  The recently published report by the Presidential Cancer Panel Report in 2010, entitled, “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk,” corroborates these breast cancer carcinogens as well as lists many more.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  Since less than 1% of all breast cancer research funding has been directed toward investigating environmental links to the disease, we don’t have information yet on many potential breast carcinogens that are still present in our environment.  Until we know what does and doesn’t contribute to the breast cancer epidemic, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition will advocate for more resources dedicated towards breast cancer prevention research.

We hope you will join us in our quest to end this disease by asking the question – What is causing breast cancer and how can we stop it?