Download Known Causes of Breast Cancer for Women Rock!

Known Causes of Breast Cancer
for Women Rock!
Crispin H Pierce, Ph.D.
Environmental Public Health Program
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
What is Cancer?
• An uncontrolled growth of mutated cells.
• Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from
the site of origin to different parts of the body.
How Does Cancer Develop?
• First there is damage to the DNA from a
chemical (e.g., benzene) or a physical agent
(e.g., radiation), or we are born with a
defective gene (e.g., mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2
gene).
• Second, further exposure to damaging
chemicals or physical agents allows the
mutated DNA to be replicated in many cells.
• Third, the mutated cells grow without control,
forming a tumor.
Overall Causes of Cancer
What are the Known Risk Factors for
Breast Cancer?
• Family history of breast cancer. Having a
mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer
doubles a woman's risk.
• However, 70-80% of women who develop
breast cancer have no family history of this
disease.
• Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• 5-10% of breast cancer cases are related to
mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• Exposure to estrogenic compounds: early start
to menarche (<12), late menopause (>65).
What are the Known Causes of Breast
Cancer?
• Early exposure to radiation.
• Exposure to radiation treatment in the chest
area raises the risk. Regular X-rays do not
raise risk of breast cancer.
• Alcohol use.
• One drink per day raises risk slightly, 2-5
drinks per day raised the risk to 150% of nondrinkers.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Weight gain during adulthood, waist fat, and
being overweight after menopause are
associated with greater breast cancer rates.
• Exposure to estrogenic compounds: recent
use of birth control pills, not having children
or having children after 30, hormone
replacement therapy, not breast feeding.
• Lack of exercise.
• As little as 1.25 hours per week of brisk
walking reduces risk.
• Maternal use of diethylstilbestrol (DES).
• Pollution: exposure to some chlorinated
organics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), and triazine herbicides.
• Night work?
• High fat diet?
• Infectious agents?
How Can We Reduce Risk?
• Maintain a diet focused on fruits, vegetables
and whole grains.
• Minimize alcohol consumption.
• Get regular exercise and maintain a body mass
index of < 25 kg/m2.
• Perform regular self-exams and
get regular mammograms.
• Consider testing for the BRCA1
and BRCA2 genes if there is a
familial risk of breast cancer.
• Use Tamoxifen or Raloxifene if at
high risk for breast cancer.
Contact Information
• Crispin H Pierce, PhD
• [email protected]
• 715-836-5589
This is Why I Care