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Clues in the Environment
- the link with breast cancer Because most cases of breast cancer arise in women with few of the known risk factors, scientists believe that much of the disease could be prevented. Known risk factors for the
disease, such as family history and age at menstruation, explain fewer than one in three cases. While screening and diagnosis have improved in many regions, it cannot completely account for the rate increases. Much
research funding has been devoted to treatment of breast cancer rather than its prevention. To date, potential environmental causes of breast cancer have received little attention, even though there is increasing
evidence that such links exist.
Three types of evidence suggest that the environment can be an important contributor to breast cancer. Animal studies find more than 50 compounds that can cause animals to
grow mammary tumors. Wildlife studies show that many of these materials also cause defects in free living animals. Finally, some human studies indicate that women with higher levels of exposure to some pesticides have a
greater chance of developing breast cancer.
Dr. Axelrod has developed materials/ written papers on this subject, with Dr. Devra Lee Davis, of the World Resources Institute. See
www.wri.org for a slide show and selected articles; www.breastcancerfund.org
. and other sites to be identified.. . |
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