STUDYING ENVIRONMENTAL-INFLUENCES AND BREAST-CANCER RISK - SUGGESTIONS FOR AN INTEGRATED POPULATION-BASED APPROACH

Increased attention has focused in recent years on environmental expos ures which may elevate risk of human breast cancer. Following a brief introduction to the topic, we present a summary of recent evidence reg arding the role of chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g. pesticides), occupat ional exposures (e.g. electromagnetic fields), dietary factors, and ot her hydrocarbons (e.g, tobacco). Next, we present suggestions for addi tional measurements which may help to clarify the contribution of envi ronmental factors, including individual and ecologic level exposure hi stories, polymorphisms in carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, and interac tions among environmental exposures, breast tumor characteristics, and other risk factors for breast cancer. Finally, we discuss how a popul ation-based approach may be used to integrate these sources of informa tion and could provide new clues regarding the role of environmental i nfluences in breast cancer.