According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 227,000 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. And another 40,000 American women will die from this breast cancer. Every year, breast cancer awareness month reminds women to get checked. But many women are still unaware of the many contributing factors to breast cancer.
A recent study conducted by the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group at Stirling University in Scotland has concluded that women working with chemicals could increase their risk of breast cancer by as much as 42%. These shocking numbers were obtained by studying over 2,000 women, predominantly focusing upon Ontario, Canada as representative of the many industries and chemicals that modern women face. Researchers found that women working for a decade with harsh chemicals could increase their risk for breast cancer significantly.
What Kinds of Chemicals are Risky
In the study, women working manufacturing and agricultural jobs were studied. In each of these fields, researchers pointed out hazardous exposures to the following kinds of chemicals:
- acrylic and rayon fibers
- monoaromatic hydrocarbons
- pesticide residues
- lead and coating/painting emissions
- dangerous expoxies
- BPA
- second hand smoke
- metalworking fluids
- vehicle plastics
- dieldrin
Depending upon the nature of the industrial job and chemicals studied, different chemicals posed different risks to women. Additionally, preexisting conditions also posed hazards that could increase these effects.
How to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer
According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, one of the leading medical institutions in the country, there are several things that you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer. These include:
- maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle
- quitting smoking and limiting exposure to second hand smoke
- limit your alcohol intake
- exercise regularly (this will also help to control your weight!)
- limit or avoid exposure to chemicals, environmental pollutants
- stop taking risky hormone therapies
Breast cancer has long been attributed to both environmental and congenital risk factors. There's little you can do about a congenital predisposition towards breast cancer. But if your job and the exposure to dangerous chemicals on that job are making you sick, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Get the medical help you need and then consult a skilled personal injury and product liability attorney to help you preserve your rights.
