We are all well aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so to do my due diligence, I decided to research breast cancer in Massachusetts, and I ran across an interesting organization known as the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) with a different approach to this awareness theme.
The MBCC differs from other breast cancer organizations in that they are not all about early detection and screenings through self-exams and mammography, even though they recognize the importance of these things. On the contrary, their goals are to find the causes of breast cancer and ways to prevent it. The MBCC has altered its theme for October by referring to it as Breast Cancer Prevention Month.
Their mission clearly states: “Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy.”
To achieve their mission, the MBCC outlines specific goals:
- Create the public and political will to eradicate breast cancer.
- Focus on environmental links to breast cancer that will lead to primary prevention of breast cancer.
- Reject the concept of breast cancer as a chronic disease.
- Dispel myths and misconceptions about the realities of the breast cancer epidemic.
- Challenge the commercialization of breast cancer and the use of pink ribbon products as the solution to the breast cancer epidemic.
- Contribute to a broader scientific understanding of the sources of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and potential health effects in both adults and children, through our role as a community partner on three federally funded research studies.
I find this approach compelling because most of us are all about preventing illness and disease before it starts. Therefore, it makes sense to address ways to prevent breast cancer by examining environmental toxins that studies have shown are contributing to the onset of breast cancer and other diseases.
The MBCC says, “Far too many women are needlessly diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the past several decades the breast cancer rate has increased dramatically, from an estimated 1 in 20 in 1940 to more than 1 in 8 today. Incidence rates have increased (by) over 40% in the past four decades. Surprisingly, only 5-10% of breast cancer diagnoses are associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, with another 15-20% of breast cancers linked to lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise.”
So, what about the other 70% of breast cancer cases?
MBCC has discovered increasing evidence that links toxins in everyday products, services, and manufacturing that are considered sources of disease.
“From the February 2013 Federal Interagency report, “Breast Cancer and the Environment: Prioritizing Prevention,” we know that complete toxicological screening data is available for only 7% of the over 84,000 chemicals currently registered for use. This includes toxicological data on health effects like breast cancer, reproductive defects, and more,” MBCC explains.
Breast cancer statistics in Massachusetts show our state has the 13th highest rate of new breast cancer incidence by state in America.
From 2009-2013, breast cancer was the most common type of cancer diagnosed among Massachusetts females, accounting for 29.4%. During that same time period, there were 183,009 new cases of breast cancer, for an average annual age-adjusted incidence rate of 480.4 cases per 100,000 persons.
So, let’s talk prevention. In the spirit of its mission of building public awareness, MBCC has an educational program and series of downloadable resources called “Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures” available to the public, students, and the medical community.
MBCC explains, “The goal of this program to reduce toxic exposures holds implications for reducing the burden of all environmentally linked diseases, including breast cancer.”
I find the following information by MBCC to be staggering:
“The CDC’s biomonitoring studies show hundreds of synthetic chemicals in the blood and urine of average American citizens, while federal agency reports calculate that complete health screening data is available for only approximately 7% of over 84,000 chemicals currently registered for use.”
Considering scientists continue to discover these links between environmental toxins exposure from the air, water, soil, food, and consumer products, and many health conditions people suffer, I believe it is critical that we educate ourselves and be more mindful of the many kinds of chemicals and toxins that we each likely encounter and consume every day.
Perhaps, the reason more younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer over the last decade and higher incidence rates of breast cancer overall is indicative of exposure to environmental toxins. That’s food for thought.
I know women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Some have had successful outcomes, and others have not. If you know someone with breast cancer, and they could use some help, our compassionate Home Helpers caregivers are available 24/7/365 to make life easier. Our in-home care services include companion care, personal care, homemaker services, meal preparation, transportation assistance to and from appointments, Veteran care, and so much more!
I gladly offer a FREE Consultation at your convenience to assess specific needs and the many ways our caregivers can lend a hand.
Home Helpers MetroWest proudly serves male and female seniors in Concord, Farmingham, Lincoln, Marlborough, Natick, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, and surrounding areas. We are Making Life Easier℠ in our Massachusetts communities every day! 508-545-0164
Source:
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
