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EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
62991-02 EMF and Breast Cancer on Long Island
- Sponsor Organization: NIH/NCI
- Project Title: 62991-02 EMF AND BREAST CANCER ON LONG ISLAND
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: The incidence of breast cancer on Long Island has been increasing over
the past few years. Both Nassau and SuffolkCounties rank among the
highest in New York State, which itself has a higher incidence than
the U.S. nationalaverage.The Long Island Breast Cancer Study, a large
case-control study conducted in the mid 1980's found thatstandard risk
factors explain only a fraction of the excess incidence. Therefore,
we are proposing this study to examineseveral environmental factors
which have been hypothesized to be associated with breast cancer.
Recent work withlaboratory animals has suggested that electromagnetic
radiation (EMF) of about 60 hz might be associated with breastcancer
by inhibiting secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland. By reducing
melatonin secretion, it could be increasingestrogen production, a well
established risk factor for breast cancer. In addition, several
recent small-scale studies foundhigher levels of environmentally
widespread organochlorine compounds in breast adipose tissue of breast
cancer casesthan controls. These recent reports have created much
concern among Long Island women, given the high usage
ofelectromagnetic radiation and the previously high usage of
organochlorine pesticides on Long Island. We are thereforeproposing
to do a case-control study comparing breast cancer cases to control
women. The study will be limited to thosewomen residing in the same
house for at least fifteen years. EMF measurements will be made both
inside and outsidethese residences, and chemical analyses will be done
on serum from these women. Household dust samples will becollected
and analyzed on a random sample of women. Levels of organochlorine
pesticide residues will be comparedbetween serum and dust samples. In
addition, a detailed questionnaire will be administered to each
participant in orderto gain information regarding environmental
exposures and standard breast cancer risk factors. It is hoped that
this studywill help to clarify the reasons for the high breast cancer
incidence on Long Island.
- References:
- Category: MEASUREMENTS
- Subcategory: EXPOSURE AND RISK MODELS
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: HUMAN, LABORATORY STUDY
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: TISSUE RESIDUE, EXPOSURE MONITORING, RISK FACTORS, EPIDEMIOLOGY,
CARCINOGENESIS
- Chemical Agents: ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES
- Performing Institution: STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- Contact: CONTACT PERSON: ELAINE C. LEE; BUILDING 31; 11A21, NATIONAL CANCER
INSTITUTE, NIH,BETHESDA, MD 20892-2590; 301- 496-5515;
LEEE@OD.NCI.NIH.GOV
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