'Eco hazards are risk factors for breast cancer'

With October being the breast cancer awareness month, HCG cancer hospital launched ‘Love your breast or lose your breast’ initiative on Friday, in association with the police and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

A free breast screening programme for 75 civic workers and policewomen was conducted. Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy said: “I feel environmental factors have been largely ignored all these years as a possible risk factor for breast cancer and there could be complex reasons behind this. I urge both urban and rural communities to come together to share this awareness on the burden of exposure to toxic materials.”

He also said civic workers must undergo regular health check-up and screening camps as they get exposed to environmental pollution during their job.
Cancer survivors

At the event, breast cancer survivors shared their experience and gave tips.
One of them, Vandana Ramnane, said: “I think it’s high time risk factors such as environmental hazards for breast cancer were taken seriously. Everyone should get tested at the right time.”

Dr Nalini Rao, consultant in Radiation Oncology at HCG cancer hospital, said there were comprehensive reports on environmental exposures linked to the increased risk of breast cancer.

“One such group of compounds is known as Phthalates, which are used in a wide variety of common products such as plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and baby care products, cleaning materials and insecticides.

Phthalates are classified as endocrine disruptors and have been significantly linked to breast cancer in premenopausal women. They have also been linked to birth defects, asthma, neurodevelopmental problems in newborns, fertility issues and obesity,” she said.

To encourage more women to undergo tests, a breast cancer awareness campaign called ‘Myth Busters’ was held at Garuda Mall, Gopalan Mall and Elements Mall in which participants who burst the most number of balloons got free breast cancer screening coupons.