Recently a team of researchers studied the link between women who developed breast cancer and their occupations. In 2000 to 2002 a group of women with breast cancer participated in the study which was done during their treatment at a cancer center in Windsor, Ontario. The finding was that women who developed the disease were three times more likely to have worked on farms than women who did not have the cancer. Also, the same women that worked on the farms and later went on to jobs in the automotive industry, were four times more likely to have the disease.
What is known is that pesticides are used frequently with farming. Many pesticides can mimic and even block the normal functioning of estrogen and other important hormones.
Currently among industrialized countries the epidemic has increased at alarming rates. Canada has among the highest rates in the world. For a woman living here, her lifetime risk is 1 in 9. 22,000 women will be diagnosed this year in Canada with breast cancer and of that an estimated 5,300 will die from it.
This study shows that there is a link between the disease and occupations where chemicals are used. However, more research needs to be done to pinpoint the exact cause so we can then take the preventative measures needed to protect ourselves and those we love from this disease.
2 comments:
"What is known is that pesticides are used frequently with farming."
That is correct; but that doesn't prove a causal relationship to breast cancer. Could just as well be increased exposure to moldy hay. Moldy hay, after all, is full of fungi that are known to produce mycotoxins.
"Many pesticides can mimic and even block the normal functioning of estrogen and other important hormones."
Actually, only a few pesticides hav ebeen shown to have this effect. Any evidence that these women were exposed to high concentrations of these particular pesticides? Any evidence that these same pesticides are linked to breast cancer incidence?
Hi anonymous,
Thank you for your comment. I think that the numbers are more than coincidence here. I personally know to many individuals that have worked around known carcinogens and harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, that are now battling cancer. Saddly some have already lost.
Carbon chlorines are used in many pesticides. Carbon cholorines are known to effect hormone production. Which is why I stated:
"Many pesticides can mimic and even block the normal functioning of estrogen and other important hormones."
It may not take a high concentration of chemicals to do it. What about a gradual exposure over many years that then builds up in our tissue?
More scientists and researchers are beginning to believe that there is a link and that more research needs to be done.
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