Urban Living and Breast Cancer Risk: The Role of Built Environment and Lifestyle Factors
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. While genetics plays a role in breast cancer risk, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking also contribute to this disease’s development.
Recent research has shown that urban living may increase the risk of breast cancer due to built environment factors such as air pollution and lack of physical activity opportunities. In this article, we explore how urban living affects breast cancer risk and what individuals can do to reduce their chances of developing this disease.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a significant problem in many cities worldwide. Exposure to high levels of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. A study published by Environmental Health Perspectives found that women who lived within 500 meters (1640 feet) from major roads had a higher incidence rate for invasive breast cancers than those who lived further away.
The reason behind this link between air pollution exposure and breast cancer is not fully understood yet. However, researchers believe that NO2 can cause oxidative stress on cells’ DNA structure leading to mutations that could eventually lead to tumor formation.
Lack Of Physical Activity Opportunities
Physical activity plays an essential role in maintaining overall health and reducing the risks associated with chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), heart disease, stroke – all known contributors or causes for different types of cancers including but not limited to colorectal-, endometrial- prostate-, lung- , kidney-, liver- pancreatic-cancers).
Urban areas often have fewer opportunities for physical activity than rural areas due to limited access or availability space parks or open spaces where people can engage themselves into recreational activities like walking jogging cycling etc.. This lack of physical activity opportunities can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, which is a risk factor for breast cancer.
A study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who lived in areas with low levels of physical activity had an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The study also showed that higher levels of recreational physical activity were associated with a lower incidence rate for invasive breast cancers.
Diet and Alcohol Consumption
Diet plays an essential role in maintaining overall health and reducing the risks associated with chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), heart disease, stroke – all known contributors or causes for different types of cancers including but not limited to colorectal-, endometrial- prostate-, lung- , kidney-, liver- pancreatic-cancers).
Urban living often means less access to fresh fruits and vegetables due to lack of availability or affordability. A diet high in processed foods, red meat, and saturated fats has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption is another lifestyle factor contributing to breast cancer development. According to the National Cancer Institute, alcohol increases estrogen levels in women’s bodies leading to hormonal changes that could eventually lead up-to tumor formation.
Research on Future Advances
Researchers are exploring several avenues for future advances related to urban living and breast cancer risk reduction:
1) Developing better air pollution mitigation strategies such as green infrastructure planning where trees plants shrubs are planted around roads highways etc.. This approach helps reduce exposure while improving environmental quality simultaneously;
2) Increasing access points towards active transportation options such as walking cycling public transit carpooling etc.. making it easier for people living within cities’ boundaries;
3) Promoting healthy eating habits through nutrition education programs aimed at increasing awareness about healthy food choices among individuals residing within urban environments;
4) Encouraging policies promoting safer drinking practices like limiting alcohol marketing targeting young adults under 21 years old; implementing stricter laws regulating sales distribution of alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
Urban living can increase the risk of breast cancer due to built environment and lifestyle factors such as air pollution, lack of physical activity opportunities, poor diet choices, and alcohol consumption. Therefore it is important for individuals residing within urban environments to adopt healthy behaviors that reduce their risks associated with this disease.
References:
1) Environmental Health Perspectives: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP2947
2) American Journal of Epidemiology: https://academic.oup.com/aje/article-abstract/175/12/1225/1590404?redirectedFrom=fulltext
3) National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet#q6
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
