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September 2000 Forum Summary
Cancer and Environment Forums

The BCERF Ad Hoc Discussion Group meeting on September 28 was held in the Faculty Commons in Martha Van Rennselaer Hall on the Cornell campus in Ithaca. The meeting drew over 30 people for updates and discussion on breast cancer-related services and activism in the Tompkins County area, and related research on the Cornell campus. It was the first Ad Hoc Discussion group meeting facilitated by BCERFÕs new director, Rod Dietert. Rod provided the group with the DirectorÕs update on BCERF activity. He highlighted the following activities and events. °Three Critical Evaluations were available for public comment: Alachlor, Phosmet, and Mancozeb. °The five BCERF Education Tool Kit modules have entered the field testing phase; 28 sites around the state are participating. °Shape magazine had an article highlighting BCERF's "4Es" for breast cancer risk reduction concept (Eating, Exposure, Exercise, and Exams).

Rod told the group that he is active in spearheading a faculty appointment in environment and cancer: a high priority of his will be to have researchers Òon the groundÓ to pursue timely research opportunities. He also mentioned that he has submitted a request for supplemental funding, for BCERF to pursue focused projects in new areas of logical expansion: non-pesticide chemicals and breast cancer risk, and childhood cancers. Rod welcomes input into the five-year plan that is currently being prepared.

The Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance

Andi Gladstone and Bob Riter, Director and Associate Director of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance, overviewed the history and current direction of their support, education and advocacy group. Andi gave an eloquent Òthank youÓ to BCERF for its role in contributing to IBCAÕs educational program. She provided some historical information on the group, including early efforts to move toward a statewide network of breast cancer organizations. This eventually came about through the Albany-based New York State Breast Cancer Network, of which IBCA is an active participant. Andi remarked that this network is "going to be a powerful voice in the coming years," and outlined the major legislative issues that they are prioritizing. These issues include: good cancer mapping; improvements on the Pesticide Sales and Use Registry; placing more survivors on the Health Science Research Board, and; developing a state funding stream for services. Bob Riter, new to his position at IBCA and formerly a faculty member at Ithaca College, introduced himself, sharing his personal background of being a male breast cancer survivor. Welcome, Bob!

Comparative Cancer Program at Cornell University

Dr. Rodney Page, Director of the Comparative Cancer Program at Cornell, described the mission and priorities of this new undertaking at Cornell. He described to the group how the Ò10,000 years of shared intimacyÓ between people and their companion animals need to be drawn upon in answering cancer research questions. For example, many important known facts about environment and cancer in animals may enable the enhancement of cancer surveillance. The group was eager to discuss possibilities for improvement in both human and animal cancer surveillance, and the increase in knowledge about risk factors that may result. He pointed to the fact that breast cancer develops even more frequently in dogs than in women, and tends to behave in a similar way. This paves the way for a wealth of transferable knowledge. Dr. Page included BCERF as a major strength in its planned collaborative outreach component. For more information see The Ribbon, Volume 5, Number 2, Spring 2000 or contact Dr. Page at (607) 253-4368 or rlp24@cornell.edu

Phytochemicals

Dr. Ruihai Liu, of the Department of Food Science, described his research analyzing the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables when looked at synergistically, and when the whole fruit (with peel) is included, in his in vitro experiments. His hypothesis is that the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are attributable to the complex mixtures of phytochemicals in those foods. Dr. Liu emphasized that his research results point to the importance of whole foods, and that pharmacological doses of vitamins may do more harm than good in risk reduction. He noted that, in his research, different fruits had different inhibitory impacts on the proliferation of, for example, colon cancer versus liver cancer cells. Dr. Liu said that these results also point to the need for a diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Natural History of the Breast

Sandra Steingraber, Visiting Assistant Professor with BCERF, shared some of her explorative research on mammary gland biology, sharing much interesting information on "the natural history of the breast." Her research contributes to her work-in-progress on the ecology of pregnancy and childbirth. In this work, questions arise such as, if in the seventh week of pregnancy mammary gland development begins, then what is the potential impact of prenatal chemical exposures on the developing breast? Her work stimulates other questions such as, if the breasts continue to develop, as "a house with additions worked on one week per month" until approximately age 35, how does this influence susceptibility to exposures? We thank Sandra for engaging the group with this unique exploration.

Last Update 08.04.05