October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Much of the information in this post was adapted from "Know the Risks" on Whole Living's website (formally known as "Body and Soul").

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, other than skin cancer. According to The American Cancer Society (ACS), the chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8(12%). In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.

There is a good chance that you or someone you know has had breast cancer, and may have even died. The best way to honor ourselves, family and friends that have been affected by this disease is through education and prevention.

One of the most common myths is breast cancer is largely genetic, therefore, you think if it does not run in my family, I do not need to worry. But surprisingly, only 1 in 10 breast cancer cases has a genetic connection. According to Devra Davis, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh and author of "The Secret History of the War on Cancer, "Genes sometimes give us the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger. Breast cancer isn't born; it's made."

Indeed, research in the field of environmental oncology already suggests that chemicals in our daily environment may significantly contribute to our risk. Although most of the evidence is based on animal studies, many medical professionals recognize its validity. Scientists have long known that a woman's exposure to estrogen increases her breast cancer risk.

You may feel quite helpless with this information and resigned to do nothing, or be paranoid over everything. But you can reduce your risk by changing your behavior. Start by limiting your exposure to the most dangerous toxins and then take preventative measures to help your body flush out the rest.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Green your cleaners: scan the labels on all your household cleaning products for ingredients that contain alkyphenols, which mimic estrogen in the body. Also avoid names like methoxyphenol and nonylphenol. I find it easiest to make my own cleaners. Here is a great website for information on homemade cleansers that really work.

Take a serious look at your toiletries and makeup bag: Phthalates (often a component of fragrance, but not listed on ingredients), parabens, and ethylene oxide mimic estrogen. Also avoid names like methoxyphenol and nonylphenol. Your local natural markets and Whole Foods, along with the internet, make it easier than ever to find chemical-free products in these categories.

Watch what you eat: Consume as much organic meats, dairy, and produce as your budget will allow, or even better, reduce your consumption of meat and dairy if you can not find/afford grass-fed or organic. A good rule of thumb is the fattier the meat, the greater chance for toxins to be stored in these meats. As far as fruits and veggies go, organic produce reduces your exposure to pesticides, which contain dioxins and atrazine, known endocrine disruptors. Refer to my post, Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, which includes a link to the most highly sprayed fruits and vegetables.

All the press on plastics is for real: To avoid estrogenic effects, avoid hard plastics that contain bisphenol A. Care2.com breaks down which plastics are safe, categorized by its recycling number. Also avoid softer, more flexible plastics made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can contribute to cancer by damaging DNA.

Detox: Exercise! It lowers the amount of unbound estrogen in women, indirectly cutting our exposure to the hormone, which is the key to cutting breast cancer risk.  Eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as broccoli and berries, as well as omega-3 fatty acids from fish like wild salmon or ground flaxseed, can help the body flush out toxins. While wine has great antioxidants, the benefits turn to risk after only one glass, so drink in moderation for good breast health.

ACS's website has a whole section dedicated to breast cancer . This highly informative site is a great stepping stone to educating yourself on all things related to breast cancer.

Clearly you have the power to influence your breast health in a positive way and minimize the risks associated with environmental toxins. It may take some effort upfront, but the long-term benefits are well worth it. So in honor of National Breast Cancer Month, while wearing your pink, take at least one step toward toward reducing your risk for breast cancer.