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Linking BPA and breast cancer

Only so many cases of breast cancer are caused by genetic mutations. Could environmental factors, such as the chemicals found in some plastics, be to blame for the rest?

By E.B. SolomontTue, Dec 01 2009 at 6:24 PM EST
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DETECT: Standard mammograms and breast imaging are recommended for early detection of breast cancer. (Photo: AP)
Girls who reach puberty too early have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. Scientists are scrambling to find out why puberty is arriving earlier and earlier for U.S. girls.
 
Although genes are a factor, a growing body of research is pointing to environmental factors, such as compounds commonly found in plastics that can mimic the female hormone, Scientific American reports. The suspected "endocrine disrupters" may be causing girls to reach puberty and develop breasts at younger ages.
 
"Breast cancer is made, not born," said Alisan Goldfarb, an assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, at a symposium presented by the Children’s Environmental Health Center in New York.
 
Genetic mutations account for only so many cases of breast cancer. Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are linked to having a mutation of BRCA, or breast cancer gene, according to the American Cancer Society. But even for women who have the BRCA gene from one parent, "having one normal gene should be enough," said Goldfarb, who added that additional factors appear to be at work.
 
Indeed, more than a quarter of a million U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
 
Fueling much of the research about a possible link between breast cancer and environmental factors is the knowledge that puberty and breast cancer are both linked to increased levels of estrogen. Now, some doctors are suggesting that estrogen-mimicking compounds, such as bisphenol-A and phthalates that are typically found in plastics or canned foods, may impact developmental phases and the disease.
 
BPA and phthalates are commonly found, but they are concentrated among children ages 6 to 11. Maida Galvez, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai, suggested the compounds therefore might be acting as "endocrine disrupters" in lowering the age of puberty among girls.
 
In recent years, researchers have observed earlier breast development, which dropped to 9.86 years in 2006 from 10.88 in 1991, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. Another recent study found that 13 percent of girls began the second stage of breast development at age 7.
 
"I'm starting, in my own practice, to talk with families about changes in the body as early as 6 years old," said Galvez.
 
BPA and phthalates, which can interfere with cell growth and metabolism, have been blamed for other ailments, from behavioral problems to reproductive issues. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society say environmental factors are not proven risks for breast cancer, but more and more researchers are leaning in that direction.
 
"Environmental factors can be discovered and prevented," said Philip Landrigan, chairman of Mount Sinai’s Department of Preventative Medicine.
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Related Topics: BPA, Environmental Research, Viruses & Diseases

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anonymous
Grab 11/24/2010 05:06 AM

BPA is used in the manufacture by sodium bicarbonate polycarbonate plastics for many food and beverage containers, including baby bottles and canned food linings. Dental composites can also contain the chemical. Urine analysis has shown that 95 percent of people have been exposed to BPA. BPA has also been linked to prostate cancer and brain tissue damage, even at extremely low levels.

anonymous
Bronzen 11/24/2010 05:02 AM

Clearance rates for buy allergy medicine are quite rapid, with a urinary half-life in the order of hours to days. A recent study of samples taken from fasting people indicate that sources other than foods may also be responsible for the pervasive exposure to BPA, as levels of the chemical did not decrease as rapidly as would have been predicted were food the only source of contamination. Significant levels.... More

anonymous
eugene 10/05/2010 20:22 PM

To the people that don’t think these “pink promotions” are doing any good for breast cancer: I agree with you that breast cancer is being employed as a cheap means of gaining sympathy and is used by most companies as nothing more than a marketing strategy for their other crap products (a lot like selling promotional items at a loss, except most places are actually making profits off of these “charity” promotions). I used to denounce these companies, too, but the reality is that most.... More

anonymous
Guest 12/03/2009 15:31 PM

Not saying that BPA isn't bad for you, but still, what about studies like this?

http://stats.org/stories/2009/breaking_news_bpa_oct30_09.html

Not to mention what about the concept of the hygiene hypothesis?

.... More

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