Toxic Toy Ban Goes National
On the heels of the Breast Cancer Fund's victory over toxic toys in California—and in time for the holiday shopping season—Congress has proposed similar legislation banning harmful chemicals called phthalates from children's toys nationwide. The bill was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Reps. Hilda Solis and Darleen Hooley.

Phthalates have been linked to breast cancer, among other health concerns, and are already banned from toys in the European Union and 14 other countries, including Mexico, Argentina and Japan.

Urge your legislators to ban phthalates from toys »

USA Today: Chemicals in plastics alarm parents »

Use of CT Scans, Cancer Risk Rise
Only months after a study showed that radiation from a high-resolution cardiac CT scan may put women and young people at greater risk of developing breast and lung cancer, a new study warns that the rise in use of CT scans is needlessly raising the cancer risks of millions of Americans. The study’s authors say that as many as 2 percent of all cancers in the U.S. might be due to radiation from administered CT scans.

Computed tomography, or CT, scans are a source of ionizing radiation—the best- and longest-established environmental cause of breast cancer. There is no such thing as a safe dose of radiation and the risk accumulates over a lifetime. The authors say patients and doctors should talk openly about the radiation risks before having a CT scan.

Time: CT scans raise cancer risk »

Read about BCF’s work on radiation standards »

Breast Cancer Cells Thrive in Polluted Fish
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have found that breast cancer cells multiplied when exposed to fish caught in estrogen-polluted waters. Catfish from the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers near Pittsburgh contained high levels of synthetic estrogens, or xenoestrogens.

Studies have shown that xenoestrogens, found in pesticides, plastics and prescription drugs, can cause breast cancer cells to proliferate. The study’s findings suggest that estrogenic chemicals may be making their way into our region’s waterways, drinking water and ultimately, on our plate. Next up for the research team: identifying the estrogenic chemicals and their sources.

Read the press release »

Wired: Water pollution may fuel cancer »

Catch a Film Festival Near You
Filled with stories of reflection and whimsy, hope and humor, grace and perseverance, the short films included in the annual Lunafest are renowned for celebrating the talents and stories of women—and award-winning, too. Check out the 2007-2008 films when Lunafest comes to your city.

Find local screenings »

Host a Lunafest of your own »

Preview the films »