Every 11 minutes another woman dies of breast cancer. One in eight women will get breast cancer over their lifetimes. Source: National Breast Cancer Coalition. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer, accounting for 39 percent of all cancer diagnosed in women. (Source: National Cancer Institute.)

Frustrated by the dearth of explanations for the alarming increase in breast cancer cases on Long Island, two women have organized an intensive research effort to explore possible environmental links to the disease. They are bringing their concerns and findings to the public through a variety of venues that include a Great Neck-based cable television program, local lectures and a series of brochures.

On Saturday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. on cable channel 49, Something To Talk About presents the first of a two&hibar;part series on environmental hazards and breast cancer, when Doreen Banks and Laura Weinberg, 1&hibar;in&hibar;9 L.I. Breast Cancer Action Coalition environmental committee co&hibar;chairs, and Kathie Davis, a Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition (GNBCC) activist, join producer/host Bonnie D. Graham. They will discuss 1&hibar;in&hibar;9's detailed investigation into indoor and outdoor health hazards and offer practical tips for safeguarding our homes and families.

Ms. Banks, a Town of North Hempstead councilmember, and Ms. Weinberg, a Great Neck resident, presented this information at Great Neck Plaza Village Hall on May 12 to a group that included Ms. Davis. The session, part of their ongoing lectures around Long Island, was introduced by Barbara Masry, GNBCC president, and co-sponsored by GNBCC, 1-in-9 and the local League of Women Voters.

Ms. Weinberg initiated a statewide education program on the impact of pesticides on breast cancer, through the office of New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco, after becoming alarmed by Long Island breast cancer statistics. "I wanted to do the best for myself and my daughters. This is also a national and global problem," she stated.

Citing research showing that lifetime exposure to estrogen may increase the chances of breast cancer, she stated that "the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is looking at pesticides as 'estrogen mimickers and hormone disrupters.' "

Councilwoman Banks became involved in the investigative effort after learning that the majority of breast cancer cases are due to "unexplained causes," as differentiated from specific "high risk factors" such as genetics and lifestyle. She told the May 12 audience about a new research project investigating the environmental and electromagnetic factors in the homes of 2,000 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ms. Weinberg stated that while no one on the 1-in-9 environmental committee is a "scientist," their findings do concur with those reported by other groups that recently convened in Washington, D.C.

The practical non-toxic yard care tips offered by Ms. Weinberg include using cow or horse manure as a natural fertilizer; allowing lawn height to reach three inches to decrease weed growth; leaving some nutrient-rich grass clippings on the lawn after mowing; using insecticidal soaps or fine oils to rid bushes of bugs; applying a boiling water­vinegar solution to halt weed growth on sidewalks; and sending soil samples to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office in Plainview for soil needs and safe treatments recommendations.

She encouraged homeowners and professional gardeners to practice "integrated pest management," based on the principle that pests require food, shelter and water to survive. For example, tracking household ants to their original food supply or entry point, can be followed by non-toxic measures to eliminate the ants.

Ms. Weinberg recommended the book, Common Sense Pest Control (Olkowski, Daar and Olkowski, Taunton Press, 1991), available in the Great Neck Library, for "least toxic solutions."

Discussing research on the leaching of "environmental estrogen" from plastics into food, she advised against using plastic containers, popular plastic wrap and plastic gravy basters for microwaving and storing fatty foods.

She stressed the importance of understanding labels on pesticides and cleaning products, noting that "natural" and "inert" ingredients are not necessarily non-toxic. Stating that many pediatricians are apparently not aware of the toxic ingredients contained in products they traditionally recommend for curing children's head lice, she displayed a special comb that can be safely used for that purpose.

Ms. Banks stated that the lead content in glazes on ceramics manufactured outside of the U.S., such as drinking mugs, can leach into food and liquids during storage and heating. Citrus drinks, in particular, draw lead from glazes.

She noted that "fumes from dry cleaning contaminate the environment. Talk to your dry cleaner and ask if they are using a certified waste hauler...some dry cleaners are still dumping perchloroethylene (PCE) down the drains."

She also cautioned against leaving freshly dry cleaned clothes and groceries together in a car with the windows closed for even one hour, as the PCE in the clothes can migrate into food, and suggested the immediate removal of plastic bags from dry cleaning and outside airing of clothes before placing in a closet.

Ms. Banks expressed concerns about the possible links between breast cancer and electromagnetic fields surrounding airports, power lines and electrical appliances in the home. She is following research studies investigating the high mortality rate of women working in office environments with mainframe computers and Xerox equipment, as well as the possible link between power sources and childhood leukemia.

The councilwoman tells audiences, "LILCO will come to your house and do electromagnetic readings on your appliances and nearby power lines, for free." Her advice is to "step back" whenever using a microwave oven, copy machine, hair dryer, clock radio, television or computer.

She urges residents to contact Assemblymember Thomas P. DiNapoli to ask him to ensure the New York State Tumor Registry is kept up-to-date. She also promotes the implementation of neighborhood notification laws, to allow residents to be notified in advance of pesticide spraying of a neighbor's lawn, noting that "the New York State Senate has not brought this up for a vote. The Bruno Bill says you must sign up for the registry in order to be notified. This is not good enough. Tell them you want Tom DiNapoli's version of this bill to be passed instead."

Part 1 of the environmental hazards-breast cancer link series on Something To Talk About will be re-cablecast on Monday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. on cable 49 and on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. on channel 49 as well as channel 25 in the Town of North Hempstead. Part 2 will air on cable 49 on Saturday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m and Monday, June 15 at 8:30 p.m. Check the Great Neck Record local television listings to confirm dates and times.

Videotapes of these Something To Talk About programs can be ordered from Public Access Television in Great Neck at 829-3995. Ms. Weinberg and Councilwoman Banks can be contacted through 1-in-9 at 357-9622, for information on their lectures. The Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition can be reached at 466-5267.