Healthy World, Healthy Women: How Small Changes in Our Environment Can Help in Breast Cancer Prevention

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024, a time when we unite to raise awareness of the most common cancer affecting women, impacting over 2.3 million lives globally each year.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we at Cirdan feel it is important to highlight a key stage in the breast cancer journey: prevention. Specifically, we want to highlight the often invisible link between the environment and its effects on breast cancer prevention.

At Cirdan, we are committed to advancing patient care through early detection and innovation. Our solutions are designed with patients in mind, aimed at speeding up diagnosis, and most importantly improving patient wellbeing and outcomes. This year, we’re focusing on prevention as a critical stage in the breast cancer journey. In particular, we want to highlight the often-overlooked role that our environment plays in breast cancer cases.

While most of us associate breast cancer risk with family history, the truth is that most women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. We must be aware of the importance of examining other factors, like the environment, when considering what we can do to play a small part in the prevention of the disease. Studies are increasingly showing that our surroundings can influence breast cancer risk, and by being aware of these factors, we can make positive changes to our own lives, with the dual benefit of making health-conscious choices which also improve the health of our planet.

What do the studies show?

Air Quality Matters: The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) suggest that women living in areas with higher exposure to air polluting contaminants are at a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer than their counterparts in less polluted areas. Supporting clean air initiatives and reducing pollution can be a powerful way to protect our health.

Everyday Chemicals: In the US, the National Institute for the Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and National Cancer Institute, found that approximately 300 chemicals used in many products including in personal care and hygiene products, flame retardants, food processing, and pesticides, negatively affect hormones known to increase breast cancer risk. Opting for natural, eco-friendly alternatives can reduce our daily exposure to harmful chemicals.

Water Quality: Various studies show that drinking water contaminants such as tetrachloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride, which are often used in industrial industries, are linked to increased breast cancer risk. Advocating for cleaner water systems and using filtration can help mitigate the risk posed by chemicals.

Pesticides and Food Choices: Pesticides, often used to protect crops, may act as endocrine disruptors, potentially increasing breast cancer risk. Choosing organic produce where possible can help limit exposure to harmful chemicals in our food.

The good news is, by making small but impactful changes in our everyday lives, we can reduce the environmental risks that contribute to breast cancer. Supporting cleaner air and water, choosing sustainable products, and being mindful of what we consume can not only benefit our planet but also reduce our exposure to potential cancer risks. The health of the environment and the health of women are deeply interconnected, and by striving for a healthier world, we’re taking steps toward preventing breast cancer, long before it ever occurs.

This October, let’s unite for a healthier world and healthier women.

Learn more about how you can support breast cancer awareness and research here.