State of the Evidence
The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment
Fifth edition (2008), edited by Janet Gray, Ph.D., published by the Breast Cancer Fund
Breast cancer incidence rates in the United States increased by more than 40 percent between 1973 and 1998. In 2008, a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer is one in eight.
State of the Evidence 2008 is a comprehensive report on the environmental exposures linked to increased breast cancer risk, including natural and synthetic estrogens; xenoestrogens and other endocrine-disrupting compounds; carcinogenic chemicals and radiation.
This exhaustive catalog provides a much more complex picture of breast cancer causation than traditionally accepted, one in which timing, mixtures and dose of environmental exposures interact with genes and lifestyle factors.
The scientific evidence provides the basis to move forward with research and public policy changes that will help reduce our exposure to chemicals and radiation linked to increased breast cancer risk.
Advocate's Guide to State of the Evidence 2008
Findings
While each study, chemical and exposure source alone doesn't tell the whole story, looking at them together allows us to better understand how to prevent the disease. Learn more about major emerging themes in breast cancer causation through the links below.
- Complexity of breast cancer causation
- Timing of exposure matters
- Mixtures: Chemicals, radiation and genes
Sources of Exposure
Learn more about where and how we come into contact with chemicals and radiation linked to increased breast cancer risk. Then learn what can be done to reduce those exposures.
- Chemicals in air and water
- Chemicals in cosmetics
- Chemicals in household products
- Chemicals in plastics
- Chemicals in food
- Chemicals and radiation in health care
Chemicals of Concern by Type
The evidence is divided into three main sections, examining the scientific links to breast cancer within each category. Click on each category for an overview and list of chemical fact sheets.
Also Available
- Gray J, Evans N, Taylor B, Rizzo J, Walker M (2009). State of the Evidence, The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment. Int J Occup Environ Health 15:43-78.
- Nudelman J, Taylor B, Evans N, Rizzo J, Gray J, Engel C, Walker M. (2009). Policy and Research Recommendations Emerging from the Scientific Evidence Connecting Environmental Factors and Breast Cancer. Int J Occup Environ Health 15:79-101.
- State of the Evidence editor Janet Gray and Breast Cancer Fund executive director Jeanne Rizzo discuss State of the Evidence for the Collaborative on Health and the Environment.
- Blogger call with Janet Gray and Jeanne Rizzo.
