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The Environment and Breast Cancer Risk
Cancers develop when defects in genes cause cells to grow uncontrollably.
We can be born with flawed genes or they can be damaged over time by
something in our surroundings. Less than 10% of breast cancer cases are
caused by inheritance of the genes that are known to predispose women to
developing breast cancer. And it must be noted that some of the women
who inherit these genes do not get breast cancer. Clearly, something in our
surroundings contributes to breast cancer occurrence.
But there is uncertainty as to the exact role environmental factors play in
causing breast cancer. Research in this area is problematic because the
effects of exposures may not be seen for twenty years or more and may be
important only when they occur at a certain stage of a woman's life, such as
during puberty. Scientists study the impact of exposure to a single chemical,
when in reality we are exposed to mixtures of chemicals that can interact.
The effects of any single carcinogen, or cancer causing chemical, may be
strengthened by exposure to other carcinogens. And studies on the effects
of these exposures are probably complicated by some individuals being more
susceptible than others to cancer-causing substances.
There is good reason to believe that chemicals in our surroundings do play a
role in the development of breast and other cancers. Studies show that
some chemicals cause mammary tumors in animals, and it is not far-fetched
to assume they could have similar effects in humans. Some chemicals are
known to accumulate in breast tissue and have been found in breast tumors.
Women in occupations that expose them to high levels of certain chemicals
have increased rates of breast cancer.
Some environmental pollutants have chemical structures similar to that of
the estrogens in our bodies and can add to or mimic the action of these
hormones. They may interfere with chemical processes in the body or with
the normal development of mammary tissue in young girls, ultimately raising
the risk for breast cancer. The potential effects of these so-called endocrine
disruptors are as yet undetermined. It is known, though that estrogens
promote tumor growth.
Carcinogens and endocrine disruptors are pervasive in our environment and
we can not avoid contact with them. Some exposure may not threaten us,
but no one knows what the potential effects of a continuing onslaught of
mixtures of chemicals might be.
It is wise then to look for ways to limit our exposures to potential
carcinogens. At the same time, we can improve our personal environment
and build resistance to breast cancer by eating a nutritious diet, maintaining
a healthy weight, and getting enough physical activity. These healthy
behaviors lower our risk for breast cancer by optimizing built-in mechanisms
for repairing damage to our genes and for fighting developing cancer cells
that are detected as unfamiliar by the immune system.
There is no single cause of breast cancer. It is in all likelihood caused by the
interaction of many factors -- genetic make-up, exposure to carcinogens,
reproductive history, weight, diet, and amount of physical activity.
How these factors interact and what role environmental carcinogens play in
causing breast cancer will only be determined with an investment in research.
_____________________________________________________________
We can be born with flawed genes or they can be damaged over time by
something in our surroundings. Less than 10% of breast cancer cases are
caused by inheritance of the genes that are known to predispose women to
developing breast cancer. And it must be noted that some of the women
who inherit these genes do not get breast cancer. Clearly, something in our
surroundings contributes to breast cancer occurrence.
But there is uncertainty as to the exact role environmental factors play in
causing breast cancer. Research in this area is problematic because the
effects of exposures may not be seen for twenty years or more and may be
important only when they occur at a certain stage of a woman's life, such as
during puberty. Scientists study the impact of exposure to a single chemical,
when in reality we are exposed to mixtures of chemicals that can interact.
The effects of any single carcinogen, or cancer causing chemical, may be
strengthened by exposure to other carcinogens. And studies on the effects
of these exposures are probably complicated by some individuals being more
susceptible than others to cancer-causing substances.
There is good reason to believe that chemicals in our surroundings do play a
role in the development of breast and other cancers. Studies show that
some chemicals cause mammary tumors in animals, and it is not far-fetched
to assume they could have similar effects in humans. Some chemicals are
known to accumulate in breast tissue and have been found in breast tumors.
Women in occupations that expose them to high levels of certain chemicals
have increased rates of breast cancer.
Some environmental pollutants have chemical structures similar to that of
the estrogens in our bodies and can add to or mimic the action of these
hormones. They may interfere with chemical processes in the body or with
the normal development of mammary tissue in young girls, ultimately raising
the risk for breast cancer. The potential effects of these so-called endocrine
disruptors are as yet undetermined. It is known, though that estrogens
promote tumor growth.
Carcinogens and endocrine disruptors are pervasive in our environment and
we can not avoid contact with them. Some exposure may not threaten us,
but no one knows what the potential effects of a continuing onslaught of
mixtures of chemicals might be.
It is wise then to look for ways to limit our exposures to potential
carcinogens. At the same time, we can improve our personal environment
and build resistance to breast cancer by eating a nutritious diet, maintaining
a healthy weight, and getting enough physical activity. These healthy
behaviors lower our risk for breast cancer by optimizing built-in mechanisms
for repairing damage to our genes and for fighting developing cancer cells
that are detected as unfamiliar by the immune system.
There is no single cause of breast cancer. It is in all likelihood caused by the
interaction of many factors -- genetic make-up, exposure to carcinogens,
reproductive history, weight, diet, and amount of physical activity.
How these factors interact and what role environmental carcinogens play in
causing breast cancer will only be determined with an investment in research.
_____________________________________________________________
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
National Breast Cancer Coalition www.lesspinkmoreresearch.org
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
National Breast Cancer Coalition www.lesspinkmoreresearch.org
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FOR BREAST CANCER
TIPS FOR REDUCING RISK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
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TIPS FOR REDUCING RISK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
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| Environmental Risks for Breast Cancer What in our surroundings might cause breast cancer? Reducing Environmental Risk Ways to minimize risk |
"Genes load the gun; environment pulls the trigger."
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
