Environmental risk factors for breast cancer were one of the major themes at the first World Conference on Breast Cancer. Evidence for electromagnetic fields (EMF) as yet another environmental risk factor was presented to an audience of scientists and advocates at the conference.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence supporting an association between EMF exposure and many cancers, including breast cancer.

Early studies first showed a high incidence of male breast cancer in telephone and rail workers exposed to EMF. Seeing that male breast tissue may be at risk, researchers followed the lead to evaluate women's occupational risk. Some points made at the Conference included:

- Evidence from more than 100 epidemiological studies has shown an association between occupational and residential EMF exposures and various cancers.

- EMF is also associated in epidemiological studies with increased risk of childhood cancers, particularly leukemia.

- There is sufficient scientific evidence at this time to consider EMF to be a potential risk factor for breast cancer.

- Epidemiological evidence from half a dozen studies supports an association between EW exposure and breast cancer. Results of two new epidemiological studies are due soon. (Watch for Scott Davis, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and Maria Feychting, Karolinska Institute in Sweden).

- Similar cell studies show the beneficial effect of tamoxifen is also blocked at 12 mG EMF (magnetic field) levels. This suggests action may be needed to assess whether the environment of women taking tamoxifen is highly EMF exposed. No such controls are now evident in either clinical trials of tamoxifen or for those on tamoxifen therapy.

- Studies on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells show EMF (magnetic field) exposure at 12 mG blocks the tumor-suppressing action of melatonin, causing cell proliferation of malignant cells.

- Two more laboratories have now replicated the melatonin work, showing that EMF exposure reduces the beneficial oncostatic action of melatonin, which normally reduces malignant cell growth in human breast cancer cells.

- Animal studies performed in Germany have consistently showed the number and size of chemically induced mammary tumors is greater in the presence of EMF (magnetic fields). Replication studies are now underway in the U.S. at Battelle Pacific Northwest labs.

- EMF exposure has been reported to interact with male hormone systems. Studies of EMF and women's hormone systems is underway at the Kansas Mdwest Research Institute.

At the World Conference the following recommendations for the Global Action Plan were made based on a working agenda from panel and conference participants:

- Conclusive scientific evidence should not be required to establish reasonable interim policies for prudent avoidance of EMF exposure. Consensus of industry scientists should not be a prerequisite for action in determining when a causal link between EMF and breast cancer has been achieved. We should not go down the "tobacco road" on this issue.

- Standards of evidence required to establish prudent public health actions should be defined with the input of stakeholders, and triggers for policy and action should hinge on the weight of the evidence in accord with prudent public health policy.

- International health organizations and agencies should issue public health advisories for those exposed to levels of EMF implicated with increased risks to all cancers, including breast cancer. These advisories should address both residential and occupational exposures.

- Reliable, unbiased information on ENE as a risk factor should be developed and distributed through a clearinghouse that is available to the public. Scientific, public health and policy option information should be provided for independent review at an affordable cost to the public. Research articles and prudent avoidance strategies in many languages should be made available.

- Even a small increased risk for breast cancer translates into an enormous public health consequence, therefore we should take reasonable prudent action to reduce exposure and inform the public of the potential for increased risk. Women in the workplace who are exposed to elevated levels of EMF should have requests for measurement and monitoring of occupational EMF levels honored by their employers.

- Women in the workplace who are subject to elevated EMF levels should be allowed to switch to non-exposed work environments during pregnancy.

- Those taking tamoxifen as therapy should be advised to evaluate and consider reducing their EMF exposure.

- The EMF research agenda worldwide should be set with the input of stakeholders affected by the outcome, including breast cancer advocates.

- A delegate from the World Conference should be placed on the World Health International EMF Advisory Committee to monitor progress in EMF research and policy with respect to breast cancer.

- No country or national health agency should allow any world body to preempt its authority to set EMF standards. Standards need to be created with the participation of stakeholders, including breast cancer advocates.

Be protected