We know that breast health, as part of our overall health and well-being, is shaped by our biology and the way we live. Increasingly, we are also learning about how our health and risk for disease, including breast cancer, are influenced by our environment.
In this section of the web site, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation provides you with information about a growing body of research that links chemicals in our environment with breast cancer risk. We also suggest ways to act on this information by reducing your chemical risk at home and in the workplace.
Health first: Taking precautions
The effects of exposure to synthetic chemicals on human health and the risk of cancer is a complex and growing area of research. More research is needed to better understand the effects of chemical exposure and how to protect against these risks in our daily lives.
When we face scientific uncertainty, we have options. We can choose to do nothing and wait for more research to be done. Or, if we think there is potential for harm, we can choose to take preventive action now – this is what’s known as the precautionary principle.
The precautionary principle is an approach to preventing harm to human health and the environment from chemical use and exposure, when the scientific evidence is not conclusive. It is a powerful tool that has been used to inform legal decisions and shape public policy. Some examples of this include bans on Bisphenol A (BPA) in Canada, pesticide use in Canadian municipalities, and chemicals in cosmetics in Europe.
What can we do now?
The Foundation supports the use of the precautionary principle as a way to apply evolving breast cancer prevention evidence in our daily lives. By following the precautionary principle in your life, when scientific evidence is inconclusive you put your health first and err on the side of caution.
Science may not have all the answers yet, but that doesn’t mean we are powerless. There are many practical actions and concrete steps we can take now to help reduce the risk of breast cancer. We encourage you to take precautions that put your health and the health of others first. Start by limiting your daily exposure to chemicals at home and in the workplace.
Individual change is a first step. Advocating for change to improve the environments we all live and work in is the next so that healthier choices are the easy, accessible and affordable options for everyone.
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