Cause of Cancer in Northeast Remains Mystery
June 12, 2001
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute recently published a report that disputes the belief that high levels of exposure to industrial chemicals such as DDT and PCBs led to an increased rate of breast cancer in the Northeast. Both chemicals were banned in the 1970s. DDT was primarily used as a pesticide and PCBs were used as lubricants and flame-retardants.
The report analyzed data from five different studies. Researchers concluded that there is no relationship between exposure to DDT and PCBs and the high rates of breast cancer in the area. The report does note, however, that some studies found a slight association between exposure and cancer in certain narrow groups of women.
There are indications that PCBs and DDT can function like the female hormone estrogen, which may encourage the growth of cancerous cells. However, there have been no conclusive studies to evaluate this hypothesis.
Concern in the northeast arose when reports surfaced that breast cancer deaths in the area were as much as 50% higher than in other parts of the country.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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