To thwart lung cancer, avoiding cigarettes is the number one step experts recommend. But it took decades for researchers to establish that preventive advice, and it didn't emerge until after a 1964 report from the US Surgeon General pushed experts to investigate the subject. Now, a new federal publication on breast cancer is hoping to do the same thing.
"The Surgeon General's report [on smoking] moved the country forward to improve the health of all," says Michele Forman, PhD, a breast cancer expert at the University of Texas and a subcommittee chair of this latest publication, authored by the Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee (IBCERCC). "It set the stage for us to move forward to address tobacco smoke, and that's what we hope this report will do—make people aware of the need to reduce the burden of breast cancer."
The report, "Breast Cancer and the Environment—Prioritizing Prevention," advocates for more research into prevention of the disease, and increased public awareness of lifestyle and environmental risk factors for breast cancer.
Today, more than 227,000 women (and 2,200 men) are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. But, the report notes, only 10% of breast cancer research is focused on prevention and risk assessments—the kinds of investigations that could significantly cut those numbers.
The report also emphasizes that prevention shouldn't rely on professional breast exams or mammograms. Rather, efforts to thwart the cancer sooner should be top priority: The report's authors want to see more research on the impact of environmental chemicals, as well as the role that diet and weight may play in fueling breast cancer.
Despite these urgings, it may take years for federal agencies and research institutions to reorient their work. In the meantime, you can take measures to avoid some of the questionable chemicals that have already been linked (mostly by preliminary studies) to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Avoid fragrances. Skip scented products, including perfumes, air fresheners, and laundry detergents. Many of the products contain phthalates, which disrupt hormones and might increase our odds of developing several illnesses, breast cancer included.
Clean up personal care. The average adult is exposed to hundreds of chemicals a day—from their personal care products alone. Experts are still assessing the safety of these additives, so visit the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database to learn more about your current products and find safer alternatives.
Clean green. Make your own, chemical-free cleaning products by using simple ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda. (Not sure how to do it? We've got the lowdown on Nontoxic Green Cleaners.)
Can the cans. Most canned foods are manufactured using bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.
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