Long Island Breast Cancer Study
Project
The
Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project (LIBCSP) is a
multistudy effort to investigate whether environmental factors are responsible
for breast cancer in Suffolk, Nassau, and Schoharie counties, N.Y., and
in Tolland County, Conn. The investigation began in 1993 under Public
Law 103-43 and was funded and coordinated by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI), in collaboration with the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) until 2001. After this time, NCI has continued to coordinate and provide support for the LIBCSP.
The LIBCSP consists of more than 10 studies that include human population
(epidemiologic) studies, the establishment of a family breast and ovarian
cancer registry, and laboratory research on mechanisms of action and susceptibility
in development of breast cancer. It also includes a specially developed geographic information system for use in conducting studies on potential relationships between environmental exposures and breast cancer in Nassau and Suffolk counties (Long Island). Researchers are invited to apply to use this unique research tool -- the Geographic Information System for Breast Cancer Studies on Long Island (LI GIS), which also can be used to study other types of cancer and other diseases and conditions.
The major findings from all but one of the LIBCSP studies have been reported. The chief population studies are:
- Breast Cancer and the Environment on Long Island. This population-based case-control study focused on determining whether certain environmental contaminants increase risk of breast cancer among women in Long Island. The study is the centerpiece of the LIBCSP. Researchers found that organochlorine compounds were not associated with the elevated rates of breast cancer on Long Island. In addition, exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was associated with a modest increased risk for breast cancer. This finding is consistent with a few, much smaller epidemiologic studies and would need to be confirmed by other research. These findings were reported in 2002.
The researchers continue to conduct analyses based on data collected for the study (publications listing), and a Follow-Up Study is underway.
- Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and Breast Cancer on Long Island. This case-control study investigated the possible association between electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and increased risk for breast cancer among women in Long Island. It included many of the study participants from the Breast Cancer and the Environment on Long Island study. In 2003, researchers reported finding no association between residential exposure to EMFs and increased risk for breast cancer.
Refer to the “Overview” section for more information about the above LIBCSP studies and others. In summary, the studies have not identified any significant environmental risk factors for breast cancer.
A review of the LIBCSP was published in Nature Reviews Cancer. (Winn DM. Science and Society: the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project. Nat Rev Cancer. 2005 Dec;5(12):986-94.)
Presently, a new generation of research on breast cancer and the environment is underway that takes a different approach. In 2003, NCI and NIEHS began cofunding four Breast Cancer and Environment Research Centers (BCERC) that focus on determinants of puberty in young girls, as well as in animal models, and the effect of environmental factors on this process.
Additional links for breast cancer information:
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