Pesticides

The association between breast cancer and pesticides continues to be a debatable issue. However, since more and more studies show patterns that suggest the role of pesticides in increasing a woman’s breast cancer risk, there has been a common sentiment that breast health does not benefit from pesticides.

Man-made chemicals such as organochlorines are present in common household products such as plastics and pesticides. Majority of these products are either estrogen or xenoestrogen mimics. This means that just like the estrogens in the body, they heighten breast cancer growth in a person’s body.

Since organochlorines are not easily broken down inside the body, they have the tendency to accumulate within the fatty tissues. The higher the level of the food chain, the more concentrated the accumulation becomes. And because these are very toxic, they cause health risks such as neurological damages and birth defects. Furthermore, it has been proven that organochlorines play vital roles in the development of breast cancer.

While it is unlikely to be able to completely avoid exposure to organochlorines, you can do a lot to minimize it. First, you can practice buying organic food as often as possible. Second, since all types of pesticides are known to contain hazardous chemicals, it is advisable to wash non-organic products in order to remove all possible pesticide residue. Third, avoid using plastic, especially when heating food. Fourth, use bottled water for drinking as tap water contains chlorine and possibly other contaminants such as the pesticide atrazine.

Experts say that women who are fond of eating red meat are more likely to develop breast cancer than those who avoid eating it. Red meat is known to contain concentrated toxins like antibiotics, pesticides, growth stimulators, and hormones. In some countries, livestock are made to take in growth hormones and growth stimulators to help them grow bigger fast and enable them to produce more milk. However, when a cow takes in these growth stimulators, high levels of insulin-like growth elements are produced by its body. Growth elements at higher concentrations become powerful breast cancer stimulator. Women who have high levels of these are 700% more prone to developing breast cancer. Thus, to avoid pesticides in red meat, buy meat and poultry that were conventionally raised.

The effects of pesticides in human health has raised concerns in various communities. Pesticides are in extensively used I agriculture in order to improve production. However, pesticide residue have been found in breast milk samples from women who live in industrialized counties. Most of the research done showed that samples were mostly taken from women who are exposed to DDT pesticide.

Almost all women are exposed to pesticides. Since everyone do not want ants, insects and pests in the house, it is rather difficult to stay away from pesticides. However, with these findings, people should learn to find alternative means. While the different studies not may not be conclusive enough for some people, there are suggestive findings that actually show the dangers of pesticides in breast health. For one, a pesticide’s molecular structure mimics that of the estrogen, which is known as cancer-causing. Thus, chemicals in pesticides are likely going to stick to the estrogen receptor areas inside a person’s body.

Even though science may yet have to prove a direct link between pesticides and breast cancer, it has established that women whose breast tissues contain elevated pesticide levels are more prone to developing breast cancer.

There have always been extensive campaign against the use pesticide due to the environmental and health hazards that come with its use. Thus, if it does not kill you to stop using it, then why insist on it?