This blog is the fourth in a series about an ongoing study that examines how environmental exposures to chemical mixtures may contribute to breast cancer risk. The study is led by Dr. Kimberly Badal from the University of California, San Francisco. In addition to collaborating with other researchers, Dr. Badal’s study prioritizes collaboration with breast cancer research advocates.
The three advocates involved in this study are breast cancer survivors whose lived experience makes them uniquely suited to communicate the need for environmental breast cancer research and ensure that the research represents patient interests.
Zero Breast Cancer’s Lianna Hartmour had the opportunity to speak with advocates Vivian Lee, Susie Brain, and Diane Heditsian about why there is a need for advocate involvement in environmental breast cancer research. She also spoke with Dr. Badal to hear her perspective on how advocates inspired her research.
In speaking about the work that Dr. Badal and other university researchers are doing, advocate Susie Brain said “It gives the whole environmental movement credibility which I think is really important.” Continued research on the environmental determinants of cancer can create a positive feedback loop in which research projects can be strengthened by not only the scientific knowledge they reveal, but the credibility they will together provide.
This is an excerpt of a longer post on the Zero Breast Cancer site. Read the full post here and find links to the previous blogs in the series.
Camille Sytko is a recent graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Environmental Science and minored in Environmental Systems and Society. Since graduating, she first worked as Environmental Research Associate at a Proposition 65 law firm and now works as an Environmental Scientist/Planner at a San Diego consulting firm. Camille is committed to the principle that people have a right to know about the risks they incur through environmental exposures and is hopeful for a future where all are safe from those risks. She is excited to contribute to CHE’s work to make that future possible.