Exciting Environmental Risk Event

Renowned researchers, Professor Ian Shaw, and Professor Murray Mitchell, at the invitation of the Breast Cancer Network, will be part of an expert panel hosting a public seminar on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risks.

Please note the date is yet to be confirmed

The Breast Cancer Network is thrilled to announce this new project; a one day seminar to be held in July next year that will address the significance to breast cancer risk of increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances in the environment.

BCN acknowledges ‘the importance of many widely understood risk factors for breast cancer, including primary genetic mutations; reproductive history; and lifestyle factors such as weight gain, alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise. Yet in total these factors do not address a considerable portion of the risk for the disease.’*

An expert panel event was first considered in 2007 after BCN petitioned the New Zealand Government to address the high incidence, and resultant high impact of breast cancer on the health of New Zealand women. We asked for a strategy that would include addressing the role of synthetic environmental chemicals in breast cancer. One recommendation of the Health Select Committee that considered our submissions, was that an expert advisory panel be set up to initiate research into breast cancer prevention, particularly in the area of endocrine disruption. The seminar has been set up following consultation with Professor Ian Shaw of the University of Canterbury and others.

Confirmed panel members are:

·         Professor Ian Shaw, Professor of Toxicology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. In support of BCN’s petition Professor Shaw said “I wholeheartedly support your desire to see breast cancer incidence drop and to achieve this by managing women’s exposure to environmental chemicals that might cause breast cancer.” In the book Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals in Food Professor Shaw said ‘There is no doubt in my mind that we should reduce exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds and Bisphenol A as the place to start.’

·         Professor Murray Mitchell, Director, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (formerly of the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland). Both he and Professor Peter Lobie supported the BCN submission to the Health Select Committee. Professor Mitchell and his team have shown that Bisphenol A at low, environmentally relevant levels can transfer across the human placenta, mainly in an active unconjugated form.

Another two speakers will be confirmed in the near future.

We especially invite women who have experienced breast cancer to attend, although everyone will be welcome. Importantly, in addition to the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for you to participate in question times during which you can ask questions of our experts in the area of environmental risk and breast cancer.

The seminar will be held at Kings (preparatory) School in Remuera, Auckland in the lovely JR Fletcher Arts Centre and Memorial Hall. Adjacent is a large auditorium for lunch and tea breaks.

The BCN team is delighted to finally be able to announce this project – which it has been working on for some time – as it is a continuation of our work to publicise and reduce exposure to risk factors for breast cancer. Watch out for more information in coming issues of Upfront U Kaiora or register your interest with Heather Stonestreet at admin@bcn.org.nz

* State of the Evidence 8th Edition 2010, published by Breast Cancer Fund