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Breast cancer linked to high pollution in cities, major US study finds

13 May 2017 | By Wellend

The Weekend Australian reported that “Women living in areas with high air pollution are more likely to develop breast cancer,” because air pollution causes an increase in breast density.

There are two reasons for high breast density – Genetics and Acquired factors.  One of the more significant Acquired factors is exposure to a form of toxins in our environment called endocrine disruptors, such as air pollution.  Other endocrine disruptors include certain types pesticides, plastics, and phytoestrogens (plant hormones), to name a few.

This news article reported the results from a study on the effect of air pollution on breast density.  After studying the mammograms of “…nearly 280,000 women in the United States, [the study] found that for every unit increase in concentration of fine particles known as PM2.5, a woman’s chance of having dense breasts was increased by 4 per cent.”

Although this is early days, the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together as to why breast cancer is increasing in the industrialised world.  And number one on that list is that certain toxins (endocrine disruptors) are causing an increase in mammographic breast density.

In this news article, Lester Barr, chairman of Prevent Breast Cancer, a British research charity, was quoted as saying, “This is an extremely important study in the quest to prevent breast cancer. We know that there is no one cause of breast cancer, but breast density has a strong link to the disease and our research team in Manchester is currently researching how increased density comes about, along with ways to detect and reduce it….[in order to] protect future generations and create a breast cancer-free future.”

We agree with Lester. ☺

See our [article] for other causes of high mammographic breast density.

[Link to news article]