BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October 2008

New Children’s Center of Excellence Opens in Huntington
STORY BY BETH FITENI AND KAREN MILLER

Cancer prevention starts in the womb—and thanks to a new medical center in Huntington called the Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence, there is now a unique opportunity for that health message to reach parents it may not have reached before. Though not yet formally announced, the Center, funded by a grant from NY State Senator Carl Marcellino, opened in July and is one of seven being established around New York state, spearheaded by Dr. Philip Landrigan, director of the Children’s Environmental Health Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and a nationally known author who has served on the Center for Disease Control and the National Academy of Sciences. The Huntington Center will be staffed by Drs. Joel Forman, Amir Miovodnik and Maida Galvez, all bring a background in environmental and public health.

How does this Center differ from other doctor offices? Doctors at this center will be able to recognize the symptoms and treat a child if he or she is exposed to toxic substances such as pesticides, mercury, or lead, whereas many doctors may not. “These doctors will be able to assist parents and practicing pediatricians on Long Island by serving as a source of expert referral and consultation in the growing field of environmental pediatrics,” states Dr. Landrigan.

As each patient arrives for the first time, they will receive important prevention information with the most current tips on reducing toxins in the home, environment, through our food and lifestyles, and in our communities. The information focuses on four specific topics: Lead, Endocrine disruptors, Air pollution, and Pesticides (LEAP). A friendly frog named Ribbet will carry the message “Look Before you LEAP” to children in a fun way through a game and activity book so that they can learn to protect themselves.

For example, children will learn to avoid diesel bus fumes, choose organic gardening methods over pesticides and not put plastic toys in their mouths that may leach chemicals. One hot topic many parents will learn about is that many baby bottles are made with plastic #7, which may contain bisphenol A, a hormone disruptor.

Prevention is very important because more and more research is showing that exposures to toxins during critical developmental periods early on may have serious consequences later in life, including higher vulnerability to cancer. It is also known that exposure to nerve toxin chemicals can impact the development of a fetus, leading to learning disabilities and other neurological maladies. In the case of breast cancer, science is finding only 5-10% of cases are due to genetic heritage. A 2003 study of women carrying the genes for breast cancer (BRCA1 & BRCA2) found that the breast cancer risk by age 50 was 24% for those born before 1940 (when we started using numerous industrial chemicals) but increased to 67% for those born after 1940. Childhood cancer rates jumped 26% between 1975-1998.

The Center’s educational materials and outreach are being coordinated through an interdisciplinary team organized by Karen Miller, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition and Prevention Is The Cure, and includes Mary Landrigan, MPA, health education consultant, Lynn Barker, president, Promotional Insights, Steve Boese, Learning Disabilities Association of NY, and Beth Fiteni, program director, Neighborhood Network, all who contribute their expertise in bringing the science-based prevention message to the public.

For more information call the toll free number 866-265-6201 to speak with health experts or Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition at 631-547-1518.

What Could Baby Bottles and Breast Cancer Have in Common?
Babies and breast cancer? Many parents would be shocked to learn that the chemical compound Bisphenol-A, used to make #7 polycarbonate plastic, is used in numerous commonly available baby bottles, sippy cups and the plastic liner of some canned baby formulas. Plastic baby bottles are widely used due to the convenience of not having to worry about breakage if they fall on the floor. However, Bisphenol-A is a known endocrine (hormone) disruptor, which may have long term negative health effects in developing organs when it leaches into warm milk or baby formula.

There is much debate about how harmful this chemical is and what level might be considered “safe.” The chemical industry says the amount the average person would be exposed to is harmless, and others question the validity of industry studies, saying it may lead to future cancer, infertility, and behavioral problems. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that 95% of Americans have the chemical in their urine. In September 2008 the U.S. National Toxicology Program released a report stating that the agency had some concern about the chemical’s potential health effects, but further research is needed. Also in September 2008, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a study linking Bisphenol-A with higher risks of diabetes and heart disease.

However, the good news is that until science gives the final word on safety, there are alternatives. Companies are now producing baby bottles labeled as Bisphenol-A free, or made from #5 polypropylene. Thick glass bottles are another alternative though care must be taken to avoid breakage. New York State Senator Charles Schumer introduced a federal ban on the chemical this year which has not yet been adopted, but in the meantime companies like Toys-R-Us, Walmart, Whole Foods and others have decided to pull baby bottles made with this chemical from their shelves.

Contact: Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, 631-547-1518 or Neighborhood Network, 631-963-5454.

New book Breaks Ground in Addressing Breast Health of Girls and Teens

A new book by the founder of Breastcancer.org and her teenage daughter addresses one of the most confusing and often fearful topics in a girl’s life: her breast development and breast health. In Taking Care of Your “Girls”, breast oncologist Dr. Marisa Weiss and her daughter Isabel Friedman cut through all the myths and unreliable information about breasts and breast development. They reveal the real risks and steps to reduce their risk of getting breast cancer.

As the first and only book of its kind, Taking Care of Your “Girls” represents a key turning point in the conversation about breast care: a movement toward breast cancer prevention and breast health awareness among girls at a much younger age than traditional prevention efforts. Girls lack reliable information geared just for them. The outreach efforts are driven by groundbreaking research and include school programs and an awareness campaign about the environmental influences on breast health.

The foundation of the book is 2 ½ years of research that Dr. Weiss and Breastcancer.org conducted with more than 3000 girls (ages 8-18) and mothers all across the US. As a woman, doctor, and mother, Dr. Weiss knew that the girls she spoke with would have a lot of questions about breast health and development, but she was struck by many of the findings, including:
      Over 25% of the girls perceived a normal change in their breasts to be a symptom of breast cancer; over 20% think breast cancer is caused in part by infection, tanning, drug us, stress, and breast injury; however, none of these are risk factors; nearly 75% have someone close to them has had breast cancer. Most girls are worried that someone in their family might get breast cancer and few know how to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Other organizations have joined Breastcancer.org including Comcast who, with Dr. Weiss, created VOD (video-on-demand) segments for the Comcast Pink Ribbon campaign to air this month during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For more information visit www.girlsprevention.breastcancer.org