Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition

03/13/2026

Common Chemicals of Concern: Dioxins

Dioxins are by-products of combustion activities involving the chemical chlorine and carbon-based chemicals like polyvinyl chloride plastics. They are also created during chlorine-bleaching processes and are highly toxic, persistent organic pollutants. Dioxins are endocrine disrupting compounds and existing research links exposure with a variety of health consequences including cancer, developmental and reproductive problems, and immune system damage.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most toxic dioxins, is a component of Agent Orange, an herbicide used as a chemical weapon in the Vietnam War. TCDD has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans. Typically, other dioxins or dioxin-like chemicals are compared in toxicity and carcinogenicity to TCDD for risk assessment and regulatory purposes.

03/12/2026

Clinicians & public health professionals: Help strengthen medical guidance on PFAS.

Take a free online PFAS Continuing Medical Education (CME) course and earn 1 credit (APA or AOA). After completing the course, you may also participate in a focus group or interview to help improve clinical resources and receive a $100 gift card.

Practitioners and students in medicine, nursing, and public health are welcome to participate.

Register here: https://cmetracker.net/MSU/Publisher
Learn more by contacting Aaron Maruzzo at maruzzo@silentspring.org

03/10/2026

📣 Featured Sponsor
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is grateful to our sponsors who support our mission of preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. These sponsors reflect a genuine commitment to the environment, public health, and the eradication of breast cancer for future generations. Thank you for your continued support!
One such sponsor is Reliant Medical Group. We greatly appreciate their support of MBCC’s mission toward breast cancer prevention.

To learn more about Reliant Medical Group, please visit:
https://reliantmedicalgroup.org

03/06/2026

Together we can create a healthier, safer future.
mbcc.org/donate-online

03/04/2026

Reduce the Risk: Avoid microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers with grease-resistant coatings.

03/03/2026

A new study shows that swapping out foam-containing furniture made before 2014 can reduce levels of certain harmful flame retardants in people’s bodies by half in just over a year. Published in the journal Environmental Pollution, the research is the first to demonstrate measurable health benefits from California’s 2014 update to its furniture standard, which made it possible for manufacturers to make furniture free of flame retardants without compromising fire safety.

New study shows public health benefit of policies that restrict toxic chemicals in products.

03/02/2026

02/27/2026

Funding supports Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s community education and outreach programs, including the award-winning Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures Program, the MBCC Webinar Series, and the environmental health education program for students, Let’s Talk Prevention: Actions You Can Take. We are grateful for donors who help support our mission of breast cancer prevention.

We gladly accept monetary donations. To donate by credit card, please complete the form below. The transaction will be processed securely through PayPal. To donate by check, please use this mailing address:

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
Post Office Box 202
Franklin, MA 02038

Additionally, we welcome stock / bond donations. Please contact us at info@mbcc.org to discuss a stock / bond donation.
mbcc.org/donate-online

02/27/2026

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is grateful to our sponsors who support our mission of preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. These sponsors reflect a genuine commitment to the environment, public health, and the eradication of breast cancer for future generations. Thank you for your continued support!

One such sponsor is Marathon Sports. We greatly appreciate their support of MBCC’s mission toward breast cancer prevention.

To learn more about Marathon Sports please visit: www.marathonsports.com

02/26/2026

Reduce The Risk: Limit alcohol consumption, as alcohol is a known risk factor for breast cancer.

02/24/2026

https://katiecouric.com/health/cancer/trump-administration-federal-cancer-research-funding-uncertainty

The Trump administration has made the future of federal funding for cancer research uncertain. At one groundbreaking breast cancer research lab, work that could save lives has slowed significantly.