Envision zero breast cancer

This blog is the fourth in a series about an ongoing study that examines how environmental exposures to chemical mixtures may contribute to breast cancer risk (the first blog explains the study, the second explains non-targeted analysis, and the third explains DNA methylation). The study is led by Dr. Kimberly Badal from the University of California, San Francisco. In addition to collaborating with other researchers, Dr. Badal’s study prioritizes collaboration with breast cancer research advocates. The three advocates involved in this study are breast cancer survivors whose lived experience makes them uniquely suited to communicate the need for environmental breast cancer research and ensure that the research represents patient interests.

Zero Breast Cancer’s Lianna Hartmour had the opportunity to speak with advocates Vivian Lee, Susie Brain, and Diane Heditsian about why there is a need for advocate involvement in environmental breast cancer research. She also spoke with Dr. Badal to hear her perspective on how advocates inspired her research.

In this third blog in our series exploring how chemical mixtures relate to breast cancer risk, we explain what DNA methylation is and how it is relevant to a groundbreaking new research study. (Read the first blog explaining the study background and the second blog explaining non-targeted analysis.)

The study is led by Dr. Kimberly Badal from the University of California, San Francisco, with help from Dr. Hannah Lui Park from University of California, Irvine and other researchers. It aims to find out which individual chemicals and chemical mixtures are linked to breast cancer. The study will give insight into how we can reduce exposure to chemicals to lower the risk of getting breast cancer. We interviewed Dr. Park about DNA methylation, the method she brings to the study.

Zero Breast Cancer (ZBC) at Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE) offers breast cancer prevention and survivorship health and wellness programs, including a health and wellness coaching program. We also provide resources on breast cancer prevention for audiences of all ages — from five-year-old children through survivors.

For more than 28 years, ZBC has centered community perspectives in our program and resource development. To illustrate how this works, I’m going to explain the development of our bilingual Generations/Generacionesresources about the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) across generations.

Read the full blog on CHE's blog.