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31 May 05 Plastics in food containers linked to breast cancer Chemicals leeched into body may affect growth of mammary glands: Study LONDON — A chemical widely used in food packaging may be a contributing factor to women developing breast cancer, scientists have suggested. The study links the compound to the development of hormone sensitive tissue in mice, prompting environmental campaigners to call for far tighter regulation of such chemicals. Experiments at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, have potentially worrying implications for human health since they suggest the mammary glands of female mice grow in a way that makes them more likely to develop breast cancer, as well as respond unusually to oestrogen, which fuels breast cancer in humans. The compound bisphenol-A, or BPA, is used in plastic food containers, cans and dental sealants. Other research suggests it leaches from products and is absorbed in low concentrations by the human body. The scientists behind the latest findings say in the medical journal Endocrinology that they further testing the hypothesis that exposure in the womb and shortly after birth to oestrogens in general — and BPA in particular — might increase breast cancer susceptibility. It is the second report in a week to raise concerns about widely-used chemicals. Research has also shown that phthalates, often found in plastics, affect genital development in baby boys. The Tufts researchers report "persistent alterations" to mammary-gland development after giving doses of BPA — designed to mimic levels to which humans are likely to be exposed — to pregnant mice. The rodents were treated late in pregnancy and about four days after birth. The offspring were checked as they reached puberty about 30 days later. The researchers found large increases in the number and density of terminal end buds — part of the mammary gland structure where breast tumours start in both animals and humans. . They also found a drop in the number of cells programmed for death, the natural defence mechanism by which the body gets rid of damaged cells that might become cancerous. Animals exposed to higher doses of BPA developed mammary glands more sensitive to oestrogen. Professor Frederick vom Saal, of the University of Missouri-Columbia, commenting on the findings, said: "This is of tremendous concern because this is clearly a study that is relevant to human exposure levels to this chemical." — The Guardian links Related articles on Global issues: general general environmental issues |
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