State of the Evidence 2008:
The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment
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.
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.
Air pollution
Consumer exposures
Occupational exposures
Pesticides
Radiation
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.
Chemical carcinogens
Hormones and endocrine disrupting compounds
Radiation
Also Available
Companion Publications:
An Advocate's Guide to State of the Evidence 2008 »
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. Article abstract »
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. Article abstract »
L’État des connaissances: La relation entre l’environnement et
le cancer du sein » (French translation of State of the Evidence 2008, translated by Breast Cancer Action Montréal)
Podcasts:
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. Download and listen »
Blogger call with Janet Gray and Jeanne Rizzo. Download and listen »
Previous editions of State of the Evidence:
State of the Evidence 2006 »
Estado de la Evidencia 2006 » (Spanish translation of State of the Evidence 2006)
State of the Evidence 2004 »
State of the Evidence 2003 »
State of the Evidence 2002 »
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