Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition

01/26/2026

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide in the U.S. that can contaminate soil, air, and drinking water and is linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and other health concerns.

🌱 Reduce your exposure:
• Choose organic produce when possible
• Ask guests to remove shoes to keep pesticides out of your home

Learn more about environmental health risks and prevention 👉 https://mbcc.org/chemicals-of-concern/

01/23/2026

Reduce the Risk: Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals at home by using non-toxic cleaners and avoiding pesticides whenever possible.

01/21/2026

The PFAS Project Lab has updated two of its data tools: the Known PFAS Contamination Site Tracker and the Presumptive PFAS Contamination Dataset. These tools demonstrate where PFAS have been detected in environmental media outside of drinking water systems and where contamination is most likely, based on site use characteristics. Both datasets and the interactive map are available on the PFAS Project Lab’s website.

The PFAS Project Lab has updated two of its data tools: the Known PFAS Contamination Site Tracker and the Presumptive PFAS Contamination Dataset. These tools demonstrate where PFAS have been detect…

01/20/2026

The 2026 MBCC Webinar Series offers expert-led discussions on breast cancer prevention, public health, environmental exposures, and community solutions featuring scientists, clinicians, and community leaders who break down complex topics into meaningful insight.

🗣️ Whether you’re curious about PFAS research, the latest science on cancer risk factors, or how advocacy and education can drive change, these webinars are designed to inform, empower, and spark action.

Register for upcoming webinars or watch past recordings — all available for free!
🔗 Check them out here: https://mbcc.org/webinars/

📌 Stay informed, stay empowered, and share with your network!

01/17/2026

Reduce the Risk: Choose safer personal care products by avoiding those with parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which may disrupt hormones.

01/16/2026

🎓 Webinar Recording Now Available
Watch the 5th Annual Margo Simon Golden Memorial Webinar exploring the intersection of environmental justice and women’s health, with expert insights on how environmental factors impact health equity.

▶️ View the recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dPYiJzECgI

01/15/2026

Health professionals: Let’s talk prevention! 🩺
Environmental exposures matter in patient health, and now there’s a resource to help you start the conversation.

💡 Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures is an educational program designed to support clinicians in discussing the impact of environmental toxins with patients. It includes practical guidance for taking exposure histories and understanding how common chemicals of concern can affect health — especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.

This booklet complements patient materials and equips you with the knowledge to:
• Assess environmental exposure history
• Share evidence-based info on harmful chemicals
• Support patients in making safer lifestyle choices

👉 Download the booklet now and empower your conversations around environmental health:
🔗 https://mbcc.org/prevention-for-health-professionals

01/14/2026

As communities and scientists uncover just how extensively PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” have contaminated drinking water systems across the country, a growing public health crisis is coming into sharper focus. These synthetic chemicals are widespread, slow to break down, and can linger in the body for years after a person is exposed, sometimes leading to cancer, decreased fertility, and other health problems.

With a fresh design and expanded information, the PFAS Exchange is a vital resource that helps people understand their exposure to PFAS chemicals and take action to protect their health.

01/13/2026

Join us for the 5th Annual Margo Simon Golden Memorial Webinar on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 PM, as we honor the legacy of Margo Simon Golden, former MBCC Board President, and present the Margo Simon Golden Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Tamarra James-Todd.

Dr. James-Todd will present on the topic, “Environmental Justice and Women’s Health.”

Register for tomorrow's webinar 👉 https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2777369021970176089

01/12/2026

01/08/2026

The ELLA study is investigating whether exposure to environmental chemicals during adolescence—an important window of susceptibility—increases breast cancer risk later in life.

The ELLA study is investigating whether exposure to common environmental chemicals during puberty increases a young girl’s chances of developing breast cancer later in life.

01/07/2026

Dear Friends in Prevention,

As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the urgency of our mission and the unwavering support that makes Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition's (MBCC) work possible. In a time when nonprofits across the country are facing increased needs and limited resources, your commitment to our mission has remained a vital source of encouragement and momentum.

Because of your support—whether through donations, event participation, volunteerism, or advocacy—MBCC has continued to advance the conversation around environmental health and breast cancer prevention.

Thanks to your engagement, we can look back with pride on our work over the past year: our policy initiatives, advocacy efforts, and community outreach across Massachusetts remain at the heart of our mission. We’re also grateful for the tremendous response to our 2025 webinar series and are thrilled to offer a new lineup in the year ahead.

We continue to share our free educational materials with the general public—available in 11 languages—and our series of educational modules for elementary, middle, and high school students. Thanks to the University of Massachusetts Boston Spanish Translation Program, translations of the student modules will be available by summer 2026.

Looking ahead, we’re also excited to join the Advisory Board for a project building a National Network for Medical Guidance on PFAS, led by Northeastern University, Silent Spring Institute, and Michigan State University, and to continue our work on the STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure & Effects of PFAS) project.

As we step into 2026, we carry with us a renewed determination to push for meaningful change. MBCC will continue expanding our outreach, strengthening our educational initiatives, and advocating for policies that prioritize public health.

None of this would be possible without the generosity and partnership of individuals like you.

We hope you will stand with us in the new year as we navigate both the challenges and the possibilities ahead. Your continued support helps ensure that MBCC can remain a leading voice for prevention and a resource for families across Massachusetts and beyond.
https://mbcc.org/donate-online

Thank you for believing in MBCC's mission and for helping us try to build a healthier future for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and hopeful 2026.

With gratitude,
Cheryl Osimo
Executive Director
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition