Many of us do not like to think about the possibility of getting cancer. We are supportive of others who have cancer and fight along with them for improved research and better treatment, but rarely think about getting cancer ourselves. Or, if we think about the possibility, we are paralyzed with fear. Thinking about it and gathering information could be a liberating experience, though.

My risk for breast cancer is fairly high: I am female, started menstruating before the age of twelve, have family members who have had the disease, I have a high BMI (body mass index) and I am over 30 with no children. (For more on the risk factors for breast cancer, go to the American Cancer Society website.) Knowing these risk factors, I can do something. I can lose weight, exercise and be vigilant about breast exams, both self exams and at my annual doctor's visit.

I can also research the different treatment options available. Knowing which way you would like to go can save a lot of time and can also alleviate a lot of stress at a time when it would be difficult to make decisions. Knowing that I would probably want to mix conventional methods with some alternative healing methods can help me if i ever have to deal with a cancer diagnosis. Knowing other risk factors for cancer, such as stress and high fat diets, also gives me incentive to change my lifestyle. Reading the blogs on this site has also given me a lot of ideas and helpful tips. Knowing that I am somewhat prepared and definitely informed helps put my mind at ease. Do you think that going over your risk factors and preparing a plan of action is worth it?

How do 50 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer develop breast cancer, if they had none of the known lifestyle risk factors or family history for the disease? According to State of the Evidence 2006: What Is the Connection Between the Environment and Breast Cancer?, a report released by Breast Cancer Action, there is compelling scientific evidence pointing to some of the 100,000 synthetic chemicals in use today as contributing to the development of breast cancer, either by altering hormone function or gene expression. The report also identifies radiation exposure, such as that from X-rays and CT scans, as the longest-established environmental cause of breast cancer. In the United States, a woman's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer has tripled in the last 40 years.

Studies by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), report "Americans of all ages carry a body burden of at least 148 chemicals, some of them banned for more than two decades because of toxicity." This State of the Evidence 2006 report also points out: "Ionizing radiation is the longest-established environmental cause of breast cancer." Synthetic agents, or xenoestrogens to watch out for, such as Bisphenol-A and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are found in our daily life - pesticides, fuels, plastics, detergents, solvents and prescription drugs.

In the last 40 years, over 75,000 synthetic chemicals registered with the environmental protection agency have been introduced into our daily life. Of those, few have been tested for safety. Many have never been tested at all. Less than one percent have been classified as dangerous. In fact, until a synthetic chemical has caused damage and devastation to human life or the environment -- proven beyond a shadow of doubt to be dangerous -- there are no tests done, no precautionary restrictions of use recommended.