A compound called bisphenol A (BPA) used to make plastics, epoxy resins, dental sealants and cash register receipts can raise the risk of breast cancer in rodents. That’s the conclusion of a study that examined the effects of prenatal exposure to this estrogenic compound. The investigators found that the blood levels of BPA in exposed rats were comparable to those of humans.
Female offspring developed precancerous mammary gland changes early in life, when they were less than two months old. Some of these animals developed cancerous lesions by the time they were three months old, even when they had no other carcinogenic exposures.
These findings suggest that parents should be cautious about protecting babies from BPA. We have discussed BPA as a hormone disruptor on The People’s Pharmacy with a number of experts. For more information on how to minimize exposure to this chemical, you may want to listen to Tieraona Low Dog, MD.
