Breast Cancer and the Environment Taylor Dungjen Beth Rudolph

What is breast cancer?  A malignant tumor that starts from the cells of the breast  Benign breast tumors are abnormal growths and can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Types of breast cancer Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): most common non-invasive; only in ducts and does not spread into other tissue. Nearly all women at this stage can be cured. Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): beings in the milk-making glands but does not go through the wall of lobules. Not a true cancer but can still increase of causing cancer Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): most common type of breast cancer; starts in the milk passage, breaks through wall of duct, and invades breast tissue and can spread to other parts of the body.

Types of breast cancer cont’d…  Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): starts in milk glands and can spread to other parts of the body  Inflamitory Breast Cancer (IBC– not the root beer): uncommon type of breast cancer; no single lump or tumor but makes breast red and warm. Gives skin appearance of an orange peel. Because there is no defined lump, it may not appear in a mamogram. In early stages IBC is mistaken as an infection.

Factoids An estimated 178,480 women will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2007 An estimated 40,460 women will die of breast cancer in 2007 An estimated 2,030 men will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2007 An estimated 450 men will die of breast cancer in 2007

Factoids Cont’d 1 in 8 women will have invasive breast cancer1 in 8 women will have invasive breast cancer 1 in 35 women will die of breast cancer1 in 35 women will die of breast cancer The death rate of breast cancer is on the declineThe death rate of breast cancer is on the decline –Improved treatment –Early diagnosis –

More Factoids Non-industrialized countries have lower rates of breast cancer Non-industrialized countries have lower rates of breast cancer 70% of people with breast cancer have none of the known risk factors 70% of people with breast cancer have none of the known risk factors Those who move from unindustrialized countries to industrialized areas develop breast cancer rates of industrialized countries Those who move from unindustrialized countries to industrialized areas develop breast cancer rates of industrialized countries Breast Cancer Action Breast Cancer Action Breast Cancer Action Breast Cancer Action

Breast Cancer and the Environment Environment defined as an inclusive term: –Man-made chemicals –Diet-nutrients and contaminants –Electromagnetic fields –Stressors –Social structures

Environmental Risks: Endocrine distributors Alter normal estrogen production, metabolism, activation of estrogen receptors -Estrogen is a known carcinogen -Too much production, exposure to environmental agents which mimic estrogen can cause cancers Examples of endocrine distributors: phthalates, pesticides (DDT), heavy metals (cadmium and lead)DDTcadmium

Environmental Risks: Phthalates Used to make plastics soft and flexible Found in common household objects Soft plastic toys Nail polishes Skin moisturizers Perfumes Found in indoor air and household dust Increase breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro