Breast Cancer and The Estrogen Connection; Plastics - Avoiding Bisphenol (BPA), Environmental Estrogens in Everyday Products

Abstract

This handout provides information on how to avoid exposure to the environmental estrogen bisphenol-A (BPA). Researchers are concerned that even at low levels, environmental estrogens may work together with the body’s own estrogen to increase the risk of breast cancer. BPA is used in certain plastics (polycarbonate plastic) and the lining of canned food and beverages. BPA can leach out of plastics and can liners with heat. This handout tells you how to recognize products that contain BPA, how to minimize leaching from plastics with BPA, and alternative choices to plastics that contain BPA (e.g. using of stainless steel containers).