| Inflammatory Breast Cancer accounts for only | | | | Canada) |
| 6% of all breast cancer cases reported in the US. | | | | The first family, the "Browns", live a "normal" |
| Alarmingly, it also accounts for 25% of | | | | lifestyle, while the second family, aptly named the |
| inflammatory breast cancer related deaths, with | | | | "Greens", are avid environmentalist, even living in a |
| statistics confirming most women diagnosed with | | | | green home they designed and built themselves. |
| the disease will fall terminally ill within 5 years. | | | | Their test results alarmingly proved a significant |
| (Source: Mayo Clinic) | | | | increase in toxic chemical build up in the Brown |
| What causes inflammatory breast cancer is the | | | | family over the Green family. Revealing chemicals |
| unknown question scientists researching the | | | | such as: |
| disease, are seeking an answer for. All | | | | Phthalates: |
| researchers now know is, "Inflammation of the | | | | Found in plastics and linked to asthma, and an |
| breast tissue is caused by clogging of the lymph | | | | alteration in hormone levels of breast feeding |
| vessels under the skin". | | | | males. |
| What causes that blocking is still a mystery. | | | | Triclosan: |
| This raises the question to the medical community | | | | Found in pesticides. Toxic to wildlife and disruptive |
| and scientific researchers at large: | | | | to reproductive hormones. It also forms |
| "If chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, | | | | carcinogens when combined with chlorinated tap |
| found in blue jeans and no stick frying pans | | | | water. Carcinogens are cancer forming. |
| (PFC's), and other dominant chemicals in the home | | | | Bisphenol A/ BPA: |
| such as parabens, used to prevent the growth of | | | | Found in baby bottles, water coolers and metal |
| bacteria in cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, and | | | | food containers. Recent studies have shown this |
| other household items, are proven to cause | | | | chemical to cause early puberty, breast cancer |
| inflammation in humans, could these chemical | | | | and diabetes. It is also considered by scientists to |
| toxins be present in those women diagnosed with | | | | be on of the top medical concerns for public |
| inflammatory breast cancer, and could these | | | | safety. |
| toxins, in low doses, be built up over time with | | | | More testing is certainly required before |
| repeated exposure, leading to a blockage of the | | | | researchers can confirm a link between indoor air |
| lymph vessels?" | | | | quality and the onset of inflammatory breast |
| (Parabens are linked to cancer and reproductive | | | | cancer, but the early testing of chemical |
| health problems. Researchers found 19 of 20 | | | | exposures inside the home do show a cause for |
| women whose blood was examined in lab studies | | | | concern, and for consumers to take |
| revealed trace amounts of parabens. Source: | | | | precautionary measures with the products they |
| Environmental Working Group) | | | | bring into their homes, or work environment. |
| Dateline NBC recently aired a two part report | | | | Researchers advise: "Check your home for toxic |
| asking a similar question, "Do those living a green | | | | chemicals. Read the labels of the products you |
| lifestyle have less chemical toxins in their blood | | | | want to bring into your home, and ask yourself if |
| stream than those who are not so green?". | | | | that particular product could be harmful to you or |
| Dateline found two families willing to take part in | | | | your children. If the answer is "maybe", leave it |
| extensive blood analysis testing. (Blood analysis | | | | on the store shelf and find an alternative". |
| tests were conducted at Axys Analytical Labs in | | | | |