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Breast Cancer, Genes, and the Environment

Breast Cancer, Genes, and the Environment UNC-Chapel Hill Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), P30ES10126 10/2006 Goals To learn about breast cancer risks

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Breast Cancer, Genes, and the Environment

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  1. Breast Cancer, Genes, and the Environment UNC-Chapel Hill Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), P30ES10126 10/2006

  2. Goals • To learn about breast cancer risks • To learn how personal and environmental factors may contribute to increased health risk • To identify risk reduction activities

  3. Breast Cancer Statistics • Most common cancer in women • 2nd leading cause of cancer death

  4. What Is Breast Cancer? • Cells in the breast grow abnormally and form a lump • Malignant growths are called breast cancer • Breast cancer commonly starts in the ducts Graphic courtesy of www.umm.edu/breast/anatomy.htm

  5. Genes and Cancer Acquired Damage – Wear and Environment Diet Chemicals Radiation Genes are sections of DNA Heredity Inherited Damage

  6. Personal Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Environmental

  7. Estrogen-Related Risk Factors • Early menstruation Before 12 yrs old increased risk • Late menopause After 55 yrs old increased risk • Child bearing No children increased risk First child born after age 30 increased risk

  8. Estrogen-Related Risk Factors • Breastfeeding 12+ months decreased risk • Oral contraceptives Increased risk dissipates since time of last use • Long-term hormone replacement therapy More than 5yrs increased risk

  9. Risk increases with age Being age 55 or older Having breast cancer previously Family history of breast cancer Dense breast tissue Some types of breast disease Other Personal Risk Factors

  10. Family History • Immediate family member… • more than one with breast cancer at any age • one with breast or ovarian cancer before 50 or • one with cancer in both breasts • Shared genetic makeup • Similar lifestyle choices and environmental exposures

  11. Environmental Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices • Alcohol One or more drinks/day increased risk • Diet High in fruits and vegetables decreased risk

  12. Environmental Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices • Exercise Regular exercise  decreased risk • Weight Maintaining healthy weight decreased risk

  13. Environmental Risk Factors • Toxicants can damage breast DNA, which can lead to cancer over time. • Exposure to high doses of radiation, treating Hodgkin’s disease Increased risk in women under 30

  14. Environmental Risk Factors • Pesticides (DDT) and industrial chemicals (PCBs) • No association with increased breast cancer risk • Certain women may be more susceptible • Electromagnetic fields • No association with increased breast cancer risk Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, 2002 Carolina Breast Cancer Study, 2001

  15. Environmental Risk Factors • By-products of burning (PAHs) • Created when coal, oil, gas, garbage, or other organic substances are burned • DNA damage  increased risk • Smoking • Active smoking as teenager  increased risk • Passive smoking – long-term smoking spouse  increased risk Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, 2002

  16. + + + + + + Screening for Breast Cancer • Early diagnosis increases chance of survival • Breast self-exam • Clinical breast exam • Annual mammogram after age 40

  17. Questions? UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility Diana Tarrant (919) 966-2463 Diana_Tarrant@unc.edu

  18. Questions? UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility Kathleen Gray, Director Community Outreach and Education Core (919) 966-9799 kgray@unc.edu

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