Inside Prevention

Ask Janet!

On the next few Fridays (and perhaps beyond), Breast Cancer Fund Science Advisor Janet Gray, Ph.D., of Vassar College, will lend her scientific expertise in environmental health to answering burning questions around the link between breast cancer and environmental exposures.

Question from Ariane, California:
I recently noticed that some of our office supplies promise antimicrobial protection. With H1N1 and the start of the flu season, it seems that everyone is crazy for antimicrobial products, but I have heard some concerns about what’s in these products. Do we have anything to be worried about?

Dear Ariane,
Antimicrobials are currently present in a wide array of consumer products, from household cleaners to mouse pads, and scientists have expressed growing concern over the presence of the chemical triclosan, which is prevalent in many of these disinfectants—especially liquid soaps. Studies have linked the chemical to a range of health and environmental issues, including skin irritation and thyroid disorders (a risk factor for breast cancer). The Environmental Protection Agency recently reapproved triclosan, but only for another five years. The agency’s concerns about the chemical convinced them to move the next review date to 2013, 10 years ahead of schedule.

Another concern with popular hand sanitizers is synthetic fragrance, found in most personal care products. Fragrance is considered a trade secret, which allows companies to avoid disclosing what it contains, but it’s often made up of dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemicals. Some of the hazards of synthetic fragrance include allergens, phthalates, sensitizers, neurotoxins and synthetic musks.

Don’t despair! Thanks in large part to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (the Breast Cancer Fund is a founding member and leading partner), an increasing number of responsible companies are signing the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and setting a high bar in the marketplace by agreeing not to use toxic chemicals in their products. Several companies are producing hand soaps and sanitizers free of fragrance and triclosan. Two of these with known efficacy are CleanWell, whose effective ingredient is based upon thyme oil, and EO Products, whose germ-killing ingredient is 62% alcohol.

But really, the best thing to do on a regular basis is to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and mild, non-toxic soap. It’s the safest and most effective route for staying clean and healthy. But when you feel you need to use disinfectants to get you through the winter season, look for safer choices—ones without triclosan or synthetic fragrance. 

Send your questions to Ask Janet! askjanet@breastcancerfund.org

Ask Janet!

On the next few Fridays (and perhaps beyond), Breast Cancer Fund Science Advisor Janet Gray, Ph.D., of Vassar College, will lend her scientific expertise in environmental health to answering burning questions around the link between breast cancer and environmental exposures.

Question from Norma, Texas:
All I read about not using personal care products or cleaning products with toxic chemicals seems overwhelming. It makes me want to throw my hands up in the air! Where would you suggest I start?

Dear Norma,
This information can seem overwhelming because chemicals are so pervasive in our surroundings, but by making changes where you can – and being aware of what you’re putting in and on your body – you can reduce your risk and the risk for future generations.  

To introduce and raise awareness around the environmental causes of breast cancer, the Breast Cancer Fund and LUNA launched the Pure Prevention campaign, which provides easy, everyday tips to help individuals reduce their exposure to chemicals linked to the disease. The tips for prevention focus on reducing exposure to common risks found in our homes (plastics, household cleaners and insecticides), on our foods (pesticides and hormones), and in our personal care products. It also provides recommendations for how to choose – or create – safer alternatives, as well as how to learn more and take action through the Breast Cancer Fund to eliminate these environmental causes through smart public policies and regulations.

In collaboration with faculty, students and technical professionals at Vassar College, we’ve also created the Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer project, a multimedia Web site to encourage people to learn more about common exposures found both inside and outside the home and make informed choices to reduce your risk.

The Breast Cancer Fund works to aggregate the in-depth science linking environmental exposures and breast cancer and to mobilize the public in support of policy initiatives, corporate accountability campaigns and other innovative programs that promote breast cancer prevention. To learn more about the science, look to the Breast Cancer Fund’s State of the Evidence: The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment, a comprehensive report of the scientific evidence on chemicals and radiation linked to breast cancer. The scientific evidence provides the basis to move toward research and public policy changes necessary to stop breast cancer before it starts.

And, don’t forget to check out my 20 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention on The Daily Green! 

Have questions about breast cancer and environmental exposures? Ask Janet! askjanet@breastcancerfund.org.

Ask Janet!

On the next few Fridays (and perhaps beyond), Breast Cancer Fund Science Advisor Janet Gray, Ph.D., of Vassar College, will lend her scientific expertise in environmental health to answering burning questions around the link between breast cancer and environmental exposures. Dr. Gray’s Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention were featured on The Daily Green during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. She is also the editor of the Breast Cancer Fund’s State of the Evidence: The Connection Between Breast Cancer and the Environment.

Question from Emilie, California:
I know that dry cleaning has harmful chemicals and is known for being an insidious pollutant of the environment as it’s difficult to contain the solvents. My dry cleaner recently changed ownership and is promoting that they are “earth friendly” cleaners. However, I’ve heard that some of the new methods of dry cleaning are better at being contained (and thus less polluting) but are still using the same or similar solvents.  What guidance can you give those of us with wardrobes full of professional clothing that require dry cleaning to ensure we are not unknowingly being exposed to toxic dry cleaning solvents.

Dear Emilie,
Thank you for your question. Dry cleaning is both hazardous for the environment and human health because of the use of perchloroethylene (also called PCE or PERC) to prevent water from penetrating the fabric’s threads. PERC has been found to be a water contaminant linked to increased breast cancer rates. Breast cancer clusters in Cape Cod, Mass., and recently Camp Lejeune, N.C., have shown a strong connection between incidences of the disease and high levels of the chemical found in their water supplies.

There has been some concern that cleaners will claim that they’re “organic” but continue to use PERC because it’s an organic solvent or volatile organic compound (VOC). In my October tips, I suggest that the best way to avoid exposure is to examine the fabric to determine if it’s necessary to dry clean. Manufacturers often put “dry clean only” on the label to prevent liability, but gentle wet washing and air drying may be sufficient.  

Along the same lines, a developing alternative in professional dry cleaning is wet cleaning and liquid carbon dioxide cleaning that uses water as a solvent rather than PERC.

The most environmentally-friendly method remains the do-it-yourself option where you can control the amount of water and type of detergent that you use. You also avoid unnecessary plastic bags!

Have questions about breast cancer and environmental exposures? Ask Janet! askjanet@breastcancerfund.org.

Weekly roundup: Tips for breast cancer prevention

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Breast Cancer Fund is putting our own spin on the observance by posting a prevention tip each weekday on our Facebook page, courtesy of Dr. Janet Gray and the Daily Green. They're all designed to reduce your family's exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation that increase breast cancer risk.

In case you missed them, we'll be reposting these tips each Friday here on our blog. So, welcome to our first roundup (with a bonus tip from last Friday):

1. Choose a bisphenol A (BPA)-free water or baby bottle.
2. Drink safe water (surprise, it doesn't come in a plastic bottle).
3. Choose truly "microwave-safe" containers -- no plastic containers or plastic wrap.
4. Avoid canned food -- fresh or frozen taste better, anyway.
5. Check your old foam furniture. Old foam mattresses and furniture can contain PBDEs, flame retardants that may be a breast cancer risk factor.
6. Use nontoxic cleaning supplies. Bonus: no terrible chemical smell.

If you sign on as a fan of the Breast Cancer Fund on Facebook, upcoming tips will show up in your feed every day.

Is prevention a priority for you? Ask your elected officials in Washington to make it a national priority, too: Send them our Prevention Platform.