Try to avoid the all-or-nothing mentality about research regarding our environment and breast cancer risk. Many have valid links and others still remain controversial. Do your own research and carefully decipher the environmental links to and increased risk of breast cancer. Read the supporting literature and decide for yourself if you need to make changes in your lifestyle and ways of doing things.

One common breast cancer suspect that has been discussed in the media recently is car and truck exhaust, which produces PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). These toxic products of combustion have been linked to breast cancer in both men and women. The difficulty with some of the environmental exposures is that there is little one can do to avoid them completely. Certainly, the car industry is working on eco-friendlier cars, but this is still in its early stages. Many combustion industries are culprits of air pollution, especially in certain areas of the country, and are associated with higher risk of breast cancer associated with PAHs such as in certain areas in New York State.

Other common environmental sources of toxins are tobacco smoke, food preservatives (especially in fast and prepared foods), some household cleaning products, pesticides, hair dyes, chemicals used by dry cleaners, and many more, seeping into our lives without us knowing the environmental impact and cancer risk. The good news is that we are moving toward an eco-friendly, cleaner environment in which individuals are taking responsibility for a safer world and teaching its principles to the next generation.