Breast Cancer Prevention Month

"Endocrine disruptors" Many of us hear this phrase, but is anyone clear about what they actually are?

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic and block hormones in the endocrine system. They can wreak havoc in the body and have been shown to produce adverse health effects in laboratory animals, wildlife and humans. Research has indicated potential health effects including reduced fertility, early puberty and some cancers. Endocrine disruptors are ubiquitous and are found in food, plastics, toys, furniture, clothing, computers, appliances, pesticides, household cleaners and cosmetics. We've created a fact sheet about endocrine disruptors that will give you more information about these chemicals.

Breast cancer is one of the potential health effects from a life full of endocrine disruptors. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Breast Cancer Fund is using this month to be sure that everyone is aware of the ways to prevent breast cancer. Their new report, State of the Evidence, presents a tie between breast cancer and evironmental factors. The report's lead author states,

"A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and radiation also contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer ... This report focuses on these environmental issues."

The Breast Cancer Fund contends that it's time to move beyond "awareness" to "prevention," and is petitioning President Obama to make breast cancer prevention a top priority. They are asking that the federal government:

1. to implement the President's Cancer Panel recommendation of creating a new national cancer prevention plan,
2. to get Bisphenol-A (BPA) out of our food and beverage containers,
3. to give the FDA the authority to govern cosmetics, and
4. reform the broken Toxic Substances Control Act.

In the Huffington Post, Breast Cancer Fund President Jeanne Rizzo states,

"We've arrived at a critical juncture: The growing scientific evidence makes us realize the woeful shortcomings of the old "better living through chemistry" paradigm. We can no longer claim not to understand the impact of toxic chemicals and radiation on our health. We have enough evidence to act to create a national breast cancer prevention plan."

You can join the Breast Cancer Fund by taking action for Breast Cancer Prevention now.