Breast Cancer News

We get to the bottom of three very alarming recent headlines.

"Lights at night are linked to breast cancer."

It's not yet clear yet whether it's living in a well-lit area that's a risk factor or if some other component of urban or suburban life may be to blame.

"Depression may influence breast cancer."

Researchers looked at five studies and concluded that women with depression had a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. But some of the risk factors for breast cancer overlap with risk factors for depression, such as obesity, so depression itself may not be the cause.

"Early smoking boosts breast cancer risk."

Study authors theorize that a young woman's breast tissue is still developing and, therefore, more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco. Though more research needs to be done, the advice is clear: Don't smoke... or quit!

Source: Breast Cancer Oncologist Marisa Weiss, coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 2008