Amount Requested: - $500,000

The Silent Spring Institute is seeking $500,000 to support their research and education initiative to determine the environmental factors associated with the elevated rates of breast cancer on Cape Cod.  

Studies strongly suggest that preventable environmental factors may be the cause.

In a nationally recognized peer-reviewed science program, Silent Spring is pursuing the hypothesis that endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and mammary carcinogens from sources such as pesticides, detergents, plastics, cosmetics, as well as air and water pollution may be increasing risk. In addition to breast cancer, these exposures may also contribute to other hormonal cancers (ovarian, prostate, testicular, etc.), fertility problems and impaired child development, including effects on certain male birth defects and early puberty.

The relationship of environmental factors to breast cancer are relatively unexplored and offer great promise for identifying avoidable causes of disease in communities across the U.S. Over 100 pollutants found in common products have been shown to promote growth of breast cancer cells in laboratory studies or cause mammary tumors in animals.

Taxpayer support for breast cancer research has been critical in maintaining the health and wellbeing of millions of women.  Taxpayer funding for this work will help us better understand the relationships between the environment and breast cancer.

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