Beauty & Well-Being The Politics of Breast Cancer

Everyday Toxic Products 75,000 synthetic chemicals used commercially –Toxicity known or not established Animal testing inhumane and inadequate –Single chemical dosage –No testing of environment Toxic Substances Control Act –“innocent until proven guilty” –“confidential business information” –Weak enforcement and overwhelmed administration

Body Burden Total amount of toxic chemicals present in human body at a given point in time Chemicals –Are found in our air & water, food we eat, products we use –Are bioaccumulative & synergistic –Include carcinogens, teratogens, developmental/reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors –Cause cancer, neurological problems, infertility, dysfunctional immune systems in adults Developmental disabilities, genital malformation, and cognitive & behavior problems in children

Breast Cancer Inequalities in Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes of Breast Cancer Associated Risks Environment Pollutants –Xenoestrogen “Discretionary” pollutants –Smoking –Alcohol –High fat Diet Genes Race Family History Causes Environment Ionizing Radiation Genes Inherited Genetic Defects

Known and probable risk factors being a woman getting older having a personal history of ovarian cancer having a family history of breast cancer having your first period before age 12 starting menopause after age 55 never having children having your first child after age 30 Moving to or residing in the United States Exposure to pesticides, detergents, plastics, petrochemicals, bleach drinking more than 1 alcoholic drink per day being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an adult. currently or recently using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 5 years or longer

Woman’s Chances of Breast Cancer Increases With Age By age 30 By age 40 By age 50 By age 60 By age 70 By age 80 Ever 1 out of 2,212 1 out of out of 54 1 out of 23 1 out of 14 1 out of 10 1 out of 8

Systems of Inequality & Privilege in Breast Cancer Racial differences in –Incidence –Treatment Protocol A new study suggests Puerto Rican women are 50% more likely to receive substandard care for breast cancer. –Mortality & Survival In one county in West Virginia breast cancer is less common than the national average, yet breast cancer deaths in that county are more than 79% higher than the US rate. Sexual Orientation –No children Menstrual cycles Breast feeding –Alcohol use –Obesity Race, Clas & Sexual Orientation & Access to Health Insurance & Care

Percent of American Women Who Have Had a Mammogram Within Past 2 Years All Women Over 40 White, Non-Hispanic Women Over 40 Black, Non-Hispanic Women Over 40 Hispanic Women Over 40 Women Over 40 Below Poverty Level Women Over 40 Above Poverty Level 66.9% 68% 66% 60.2% 50.5% 69.3%

Treatment vs. Prevention Treatment options—surgery, radiation, chemotherapy—have not changed substantially since 1970s Mammography is diagnosis, not prevention –Mammography gives false negatives 20-40% of the time Environment—one of biggest predictors— is completely alterable

Women’s Response to Breast Cancer Caretaker needs care Breast loss  beauty & body image Physical changes –Surgery –Chemotherapy Response from others