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Vol. 10 Issue 2, Spring 2005

BCERF's EnviroCancer Connections Event Addresses Biomonitoring
The Ribbon 

Maggie Carey, MPH
Environmental Health Educator, BCERF

On February 14, 2005 a collaborative event between New York State breast cancer survivor groups and BCERF utilized Cornell's long-distance learning technology for reaching out across the state. The New York State Breast Cancer Network (NYSBCN) partnered with BCERF to plan this event and identify a focal topic: biomonitoring (more on this topic below). The NYSBCN has 23 member organizations, located in communities throughout New York, from Buffalo to Long Island.

Dr. Suzanne Snedeker, BCERF Associate Director for Translational Research, led the program that was broadcast live to Cornell Cooperative Extension facilities in New York City and Albany. In all, those two offices and the Cornell Ithaca campus hosted thirty-two participants for this long-distance learning event.

Dr. Snedeker began with a 30-minute presentation on "Environmental Chemicals and Breast Cancer." She then presented background and facilitated an interactive discussion on biomonitoring. Biomonitoring is a general term used to describe the measurement of the chemical contaminants in the body. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measure levels of chemicals in blood and urine in a sample of the general population as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (web reference below).

Participants appreciated the opportunity to approach this complex topic. As one reported, "this was highly enlightening on current trends in research and current knowledge." General feedback from the participants indicates that the event was very well received, and many participants expressed interest in future long-distance learning events on additional topics. We at BCERF are pleased that this outreach technology can serve as yet another way of reaching NYS residents.

Web sites of interest regarding biomonitoring:

http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/2nd/ to download or order the 2003 report mentioned above.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking This is the CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, a nation-wide program linking environmental hazards, exposures, and health effects.

http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/biomonitoring_grants.htm This is an overview of the CDC's program on providing grants for states to improve their biomonitoring programs.

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Last Update 05.06.05